Effect of Inflammation on the Aging Microcirculation: Impact on Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow Control

To meet the metabolic demands of skeletal muscle, the vasculature supplying these vascular beds has to be connected to respond in a coordinated uniform manner, thus providing the necessary oxygen and nutrients during increased activity. The skeletal muscle microcirculation is the major resistance network controlling vascular blood supply and it is the integrity of the endothelium lining the blood vessels that is paramount in facilitating this action. Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with significant increases in inflammatory agents that negatively impact the vasculature. Several inflammatory agents such as cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α), advanced glycation products (AGEs), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) along with storage cells for inflammatory mediators (mast cells) are associated with a chronic “low‐grade inflammation” state that has been observed over the course of the aging process. Current research suggests that these age‐related increases in inflammatory agents can disrupt the microvascular endothelium and thus impair blood flow. This impairment could exacerbate the common age‐related disease states such as hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and sarcopenia, leading to increased mortality and morbidity.