Muscle sympathetic nerve activity is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy individuals.

Yrsa Bergmann Sverrisdóttir,Li-Ming Gan,Linda Marie Jansson,Ulrika Hägg

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009257

Yrsa Bergmann Sverrisdóttir, Li-Ming Gan + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009257

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Feb 17, 2010
Citations: 96	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Gothenburg

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence from animal studies indicates the importance of an interaction between the sympathetic nervous system and the endothelium for cardiovascular regulation. However the interaction between these two systems remains largely unexplored in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate whether directly recorded sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy individuals.Methods and ResultsIn 10 healthy normotensive subjects (3 f/7 m), (age 37±11 yrs), (BMI 24±3 kg/m2) direct recordings of sympathetic action potentials to the muscle vascular bed (MSNA) were performed and endothelial function estimated with the Reactive Hyperaemia- Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (RH-PAT) technique. Blood samples were taken and time spent on leisure-time physical activities was estimated. In all subjects the rate between resting flow and the maximum flow, the Reactive Hyperemic index (RH-PAT index), was within the normal range (1,9–3,3) and MSNA was as expected for age and gender (13–44 burst/minute). RH-PAT index was inversely related to MSNA (r = −0.8, p = 0.005). RH-PAT index and MSNA were reciprocally related to time (h/week) spent on physical activity (p = 0.005 and p = 0.006 respectively) and platelet concentration (PLT) (p = 0.02 and p = 0.004 respectively).ConclusionsOur results show that sympathetic nerve activity is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy normotensive individuals, indicating that sympathetic outflow may be modulated by changes in endothelial function. In this study time spent on physical activity is identified as a predictor of sympathetic nerve activity and endothelial function in a group of healthy individuals. The results are of importance in understanding mechanisms underlying sympathetic activation in conditions associated with endothelial dysfunction and emphasise the importance of a daily exercise routine for maintenance of cardiovascular health.

Highlights

While the sympathetic nervous system plays a central role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system the endothelium plays a key role in the local regulation of peripheral vascular tone and structure
Our results show that sympathetic nerve activity is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy normotensive individuals, indicating that sympathetic outflow may be modulated by changes in endothelial function
In this study time spent on physical activity is identified as a predictor of sympathetic nerve activity and endothelial function in a group of healthy individuals

Summary

Introduction

While the sympathetic nervous system plays a central role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system the endothelium plays a key role in the local regulation of peripheral vascular tone and structure. Evidence from animal studies indicates the importance of an interaction between the sympathetic nervous system and the endothelium for cardiovascular regulation [4] Though such data from human studies is limited, independent observations in previous studies may suggest a reciprocal relationship between endothelial function and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Evidence from animal studies indicates the importance of an interaction between the sympathetic nervous system and the endothelium for cardiovascular regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether directly recorded sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy individuals

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