Review
Angiogenesis in old-aged subjects after ischemic stroke: a cautionary note for investigators
-
* Corresponding author: Eugen B Petcu e.petcu@griffith.edu.au
1 Griffith University School of Medicine, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, QLD 4222, Australia
2 Universitatea Nationala de Educatie Fizica si Sport din Bucuresti, Facultatea de Kinetotherapie, 140 Constantin Noica Street, 060057 Bucuresti, Romania
3 Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Târgu Mureş, 38 Gh. Marinescu Street 540000 Târgu Mureş, Romania
Journal of Angiogenesis Research 2010, 2:26 doi:10.1186/2040-2384-2-26
Published: 26 November 2010Abstract
Angiogenesis represents a form of neovascularisation of exceptional importance in numerous pathological conditions including stroke. In this context it is directly related to neuroregeneration which is seen in close proximity. However, numerous experimental data have been drawn from studies that have ignored the age criterion. This is extremely important as angiogenesis is different in young versus old subjects. Extrapolating data obtained from studies performed in young subjects or "in vitro" to old-age patients could lead to inexact conclusions since the dynamics of angiogenesis is age-dependent.
The current review covers the key features of brain senescence including morphological and functional changes related to the brain parenchyma, its vascular network and blood flow which could possibly influence the process of angiogenesis. This is followed by a description of post-stroke angiogenesis and its relationship to neuroregeneration and its modulation by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1), the most important factors active in old brain after ischemic injury.