Effect of magnesium on mechanical properties of pressurized mesenteric small arteries from old and adult rats

1. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of magnesium (Mg) on the mechanical properties of resistance arteries in adult and old rats. 2. Studies were performed in adult (17 weeks) and old (104 weeks) male Wistar rats. The vasodilatory response and the passive mechanical properties of the wall of isolated perfused and pressurized arterial segments of mesenteric small arteries were investigated after Mg and verapamil application, both known for their calcium antagonistic properties. 3. Mesenteric resistance arteries from old rats exhibited an outward hypertrophic remodelling, with enlargment of the lumen, thickening of the media and enlarged media cross-sectional area. 4. The vasodilatory response induced by the application of increasing extracellular concentrations of Mg and verapamil was significantly smaller in preconstricted mesenteric arteries of old rats than in those of adult rats. 5. Incremental distensibility in response to increasing intravascular pressures did not change. However, the stress-strain curve was shifted to the left in pressurized mesenteric arteries from old rats, indicating arterial wall stiffness. Verapamil (3 mumol/L) did not modify the stress-strain curves in either adult or aged rats. However, Mg (4.8 mmol/L) significantly shifted the curve to the right in mesenteric arteries from adult rats and, to a greater degree, in those from old rats. 6. Although Mg-induced vasodilatation is impaired in aged rats, increased Mg concentration improved the mechanics of pressurized mesenteric resistance arteries. The fact that Mg decreases arterial stiffness in arteries from old rats suggests that Mg has a beneficial effect on age-related changes to the vascular wall.