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Age-related change of mineral content in the human thoracic aorta and in the human cerebral artery

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Abstract

The relative contents (RCs) of mineral elements in aortae and cerebral arteries from 23 subjects, with ages ranging between 45 and 99 yr, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The RCs of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in the aortae increased markedly after the age of 70. While the RC of sulfur in aortae decreased gradually after that age. It was found that accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred primarily in the tunica media of aorta, and secondarily in the tunica intima. Furthermore, the RCs of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in cerebral arteries increased markedly after the age of 70, whereas the RC of sulfur in cerebral arteries decreased after age 70. It was found that accumulation of calcium and phosphorus in the cerebral arteries were 30 and 60%, respectively, lower than those in the aortae with ages ranging between 45 and 99 yr.

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Tohno, Y., Tohno, S., Minami, T. et al. Age-related change of mineral content in the human thoracic aorta and in the human cerebral artery. Biol Trace Elem Res 54, 23–31 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02785317

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02785317

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