Comparison of microvascular endothelial function as measured by laser Doppler flowmeter among non-smoker and smoker males

Abstract

Background: To understand the role of smoking in influencing endothelial function as assessed by LDF among non-smoker and smoker males. Methods: The LDF measurement for a total of 35 non-smokers and 16 smokers was done in the central research laboratory after written informed consent. The change in LDF signal in response to acetylcholine 100 µl, which was delivered to the forearm skin by iontophoresis, was measured as perfusion units (PU). Results: The pre-ACh LDF signal were statistically not significant between the groups. The increase in LDF signal was more prominent in non-smoker group. The LDF signal parameters such as differences in minimal response pre and post-ACh; difference in mean response pre and post ACh; the difference in maximal response pre and post ACh was not statistically significant between groups. However, the difference in the area under curve (AUC) pre and post-ACh (PU.min) (non-smoker 20089.34 (3438.92) vs smoker 13220.72 (3379.52); p=0.16) showed a trend towards statistical significance. Conclusions: Microvascular endothelial function as assessed by LDF signal among smokers (pack-years;1.9±1.44) and non-smokers is statistically insignificant. However, lower microvascular endothelial function is observed among smokers.