Edinburgh Napier University

  Aging is associated with endothelial dysfunction, reduced angiogenic capabilities, and an increase in arterial stiffness. Regular exercise is known to offset the age-related decline in blood vessel number and function; however the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Circulating angiogenic cells are known to play important role in vascular repair. The role of age and CRF on a subset of these cells; angiogenic T cells (TANG), is not yet understood.
PURPOSE: To determine the influence of age and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on TANG.
METHODS: CRF was estimated in 62 male participants aged 18-65 through the use of a submaximal cycling ergometer test (YMCA). TANG were quantified by flow cytometry in a resting blood sample, defined as co-expression of CD3 and CD31. In addition to cell number, expression of C-X-C Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) was also quantified as an indicator of migratory capacity. Linear regressions were performed to examine association between TANG and age, and CRF individually, and where appropriate, step-wise comparisons were made. Comparisons were made between young (50 yrs) men, in addition to fitness subcategories (low CRF and high CRF). Age and CRF comparisons were made using two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Age was inversely associated with TANG number (r=-0.337, p