Age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Two key contributors to the increased risk of CVD in middle-aged and older (MA/O) adults are stiffening of the large elastic arteries and the development of vascular endothelial dysfunction, indicated by impaired nitric oxide (NO)-induced endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD). The mechanisms by which aging causes these physiological changes are incompletely understood, but are believed to involve the development of superoxide-associated oxidative stress. Thus, establishing novel strategies to reduce arterial stiffness and increase vascular endothelial function (EDD) in MA/O adults by reducing oxidative stress is a high biomedical research priority. Trehalose is a safe and naturally occurring carbohydrate with antioxidant effects that is a promising nutraceutical for intervention in the aging process. Recent preclinical findings from our lab indicate that drinking water supplemented with trehalose reduces large elastic artery stiffness, restores NO- mediated EDD, reduces arterial oxidative stress, and reverses age-associated declines in autophagy markers in the aorta of old C57/BL6 mice. However, the effect of trehalose supplementation on vascular function in MA/O adults is entirely unknown. The goal of the present application is to translate these preclinical observations to humans. A pilot study using state-of-the-art research protocols and innovative measurements to determine the efficacy of oral trehalose supplementation for reducing large elastic artery stiffness and improving vascular endothelial function in MA/O adults will be conducted. Hypothesis 1: Oral trehalose therapy will reduce large elastic artery stiffness and increase EDD in MA/O adults without clinical disease, and the improvements will be greater with a longer duration and a higher vs. lower dose. Hypothesis 2: The improvements in vascular function will be associated with evidence consistent with reduced systemic and vascular oxidative stress and may be related to increased vascular autophagic flux. Overall, the proposed research project has the potential to influence clinical practice guidelines by establishing a novel, easy to deliver, cost-effective therapy with antioxidant and autophagy-promoting properties for treating age-associated arterial dysfunction and reducing the risk of CVD with aging.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed study will assess the ability of a naturally occurring sugar to improve the function of arteries with age. Overall, the proposed research project has the long-term potential to influence clinical practice guidelines by establishing a novel, easy to deliver, cost-effective therapy for treating age-associated arterial dysfunction and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31AG044031-02
Application #
8716516
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Zieman, Susan
Project Start
2013-07-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado at Boulder
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Boulder
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80303
Kaplon, Rachelle E; Hill, Sierra D; Bispham, Nina Z et al. (2016) Oral trehalose supplementation improves resistance artery endothelial function in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Aging (Albany NY) 8:1167-83
Santos-Parker, Jessica R; Kaplon, Rachelle E (2014) Supplementing exercise: translational considerations for nutraceutical and lifestyle interventions. J Physiol 592:427-8
Kaplon, Rachelle E; Gano, Lindsey B; Seals, Douglas R (2014) Vascular endothelial function and oxidative stress are related to dietary niacin intake among healthy middle-aged and older adults. J Appl Physiol (1985) 116:156-63
Seals, Douglas R; Kaplon, Rachelle E; Gioscia-Ryan, Rachel A et al. (2014) You're only as old as your arteries: translational strategies for preserving vascular endothelial function with aging. Physiology (Bethesda) 29:250-64
Kaplon, Rachelle E; Chung, Eric; Reese, Lauren et al. (2013) Activation of the unfolded protein response in vascular endothelial cells of nondiabetic obese adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 98:E1505-9