Aging is associated with a degenerative effect on many organs including the kidney. Blood vessels play a key role in the progression of renal damage in aging, with reductions in glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow. Therefore, there is considerable interest in the haemodynamic and molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for alterations in the vascular system in aging. In this review, we will describe the evidence that aging is accompanied by alterations in vascular tone and angiogenesis alongside renal damage. The contributions of mediators such as nitric oxide, angiotensin II and vascular endothelial growth factor will also be discussed.
Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.