Endothelial Dysfunction In Children Research Articles

Endothelial Dysfunction in Children With Nephrotic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) have a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Studies on the evaluation of arterial stiffness and endothelial function and its predictive risk factors in these children are limited. Objective The primary objective of the study was to determine arterial stiffness by measuring carotid intimal medial thickness, flow-mediated dilatation, and physiological parameters in children with nephrotic syndrome to predict the risk of premature atherosclerosis as compared to controls. Participants A total numberof 33 children with NS in the age group of 2-14 years in remission and 39 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Out of 33 children with nephrotic syndrome, five were infrequently relapsing NS, eight were frequently relapsing, 16 were steroid dependent, and four were steroid-resistant NS. Intervention Relevant history, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory investigations were done. Carotid intimal medial thickness (cIMT), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and other physiological parameters were measured in both children with NS and control groups. Outcome Carotid intimal medial thickness (cIMT), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and other physiological parameters were compared between children with NS and healthy controls for detecting arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Results Dyslipidaemia was seen in more than 50% of children during remission. There was neither significant difference in mean cIMT in the common carotid artery nor FMD between the control and study groups. There was a trend of lower Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) in children with NS. Conclusion Dyslipidemia persists even during the remission phase in NS. No statistically significant difference is observed in cIMT and percentage proportionate change in FMD in both the study and control groups. Nevertheless, RHIis notably lower in children with NS. These findings need further validation in future studies.

Serum endocan as a predictive biomarker of cardiovascular risk in obese pediatric patients

BackgroundEndocan is a soluble dermatan sulfate proteoglycan (50 kDa) secreted by endothelial cells and expressed by dermal, coronary, pulmonary and adipose tissue microvasculature. It plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders, inflammatory state, endothelium dysfunction and neoangiogenesis. Aims of the study were to compare fasting serum endocan levels between children with obesity and healthy controls and to investigate the relationships between endocan, body mass index (BMI) and other indices of cardiometabolic risk.MethodsThis single-center, observational, retrospective study included 19 pediatric patients with obesity aged 11.94 ± 0.52 years and 19 lean matched controls. Each patient underwent clinical and auxological examination and laboratory investigations including routine organs function tests and lipid profile. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Fasting endocan serum levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsCompared to healthy subjects, serum endocan levels were found to be significantly upraised in children with obesity. Endocan resulted significantly correlated with insulin levels (rho 0.47; p = 0.04); in addition, an association with HOMA-IR values with a trend toward the statistical significance (rho 0.43; p = 0.07) was found. No significant correlation with fasting blood glucose values and lipid serum levels was demonstrated. Although not statistically significant, a correlation between endocan and the presence and grading of liver steatosis on ultrasound (rho 0.51; p = 0.08 and rho 0.51; p = 0.08, respectively) was found.ConclusionsThese findings confirm the association between endothelial damage and insulin resistance in children with obesity. Endocan could be used as a biomarker of early endothelial dysfunction in children with obesity and could be a valid predictor of future cardiovascular risk in adulthood.

Endothelial dysfunction in children with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease

The most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism in children is Graves’ disease (GD). Vascular endothelium is a specific target of thyroid hormone. The purpose of this study is to assess flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)% and serum von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels in children with newly diagnosed GD to reflect the extent of endothelial dysfunction in those children. In this study, 40 children with newly discovered GD and 40 children who were healthy served as the control group. Both patients and controls had anthropometric assessment, as well as measurements of fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), TSH, and free thyroxine (FT4 and FT3), thyrotropin receptor antibodies TRAbs and vWF. Noninvasive ultrasound was utilized to quantify the carotid arteries’ intima-media thickness and the brachial artery’s FMD. Patients reported significantly reduced FMD response and greater vWF and hs-CRP levels compared to controls (P = 0.001 for each). In multivariate analysis, we reported that vWF was significantly correlated with TSH (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.32–5.32, P = 0.001), FT3 (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.45–3.55, P = 0.001), TRAb (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.16–2.23, P = 0.01), and FMD% (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.18–8.23, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Children with newly diagnosed GD have endothelial dysfunction, which is shown by impaired FMD and increased vWF. These findings support the idea that GD may need to be treated as soon as possible.What is Known:• Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children.• vWF is a reliable marker for detection of vascular endothelial dysfunction.What is New:• Children with newly diagnosed Graves' disease may have endothelial dysfunction as reflected by impairment of FMD and raised vWF level.• Measurement of vWF level in children with newly diagnosed Graves' disease can be used for early detection of endothelial dysfunction.

Cross-Sectional Association Between Body Fat Composition and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Overweight/Obesity.

Childhood obesity is most prevalent nutritional disorder worldwide. Studies on clinical correlations between body fat (BF) composition, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, and endothelial dysfunction (ED) parameters in children from United Arab Emirates (UAE) are limited. Therefore, we aimed to study obesity pattern in children and determine clinical correlations with biomarkers. Children (6-13 years) from different schools were divided into obese, overweight, and normal groups based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weight-for-age centiles study (n=166). Anthropometric, BF composition, lipid profile, inflammatory, and ED biomarkers were determined and analyzed using SPSS software. The mean age and weight ± SD of participants were 10.6 ± 2.6 years and 48.2 ± 19.5 kg with 65% as overweight or obese. In normal, overweight, and obese group male were 40 (70.2%), 35 (67.3%), and 40 (70.2%) and female were 17 (29.8%), 17 (32.7%) and 17 (29.8%). There was significant difference in age (p<0.01), height (p< 0.01), weight (p< 0.01) among groups. Obesity markers (MCP-1, leptin, adiponectin) showed positive correlation with age, height, weight, WC, BF%, body fat mass (BFM), body muscle mass (BMM). A significant correlation (all p<0.01) of BMM with SBP (r=0.412), DBP (r=0.255), MCP-1 (r=0.558), adiponectin (r=0.635), hs-CRP (r=0.263), IL-6 (r=0.348), TNF-alpha (r=0.370), ICAM-1 (r=0.237), and VCAM-1 (r=0.343). The inflammatory markers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) showed significant correlations with age, height, weight, WC, BF%, BFM, BMM. Leptin significantly (all p<0.01) correlated with age (r=0.470), height (r=0.423), weight (r=0.677), WC (r=0.606), BF (r=0.700), BFM (r=0.752), and BMM (r=0.524) and negatively correlated with TBW (r=-0.701). Adiponectin also showed a significant (all p<0.01) positive correlation with age, height, weight, WC, BF, BFM, and BMM. A strong association between BF composition, lipid profile, and inflammatory and ED biomarkers was observed in the study. Thus, immediate measures should be implemented to reduce risk of obesity and associated diseases.

The effects of asthma on the oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction in children with pneumonia

BackgroundIn community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress (OS) are prominent and interesting as the unfavorable clinical outcomes of it. Asthma as a common chronic respiratory disease may affect the clinical outcomes of pneumonia, but the exact mechanism of this effect remains unclear. The present study aimed to assess the effects of asthma on the OS, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in the children pneumonia.MethodsA cross-sectional study designed with a total of 75 children including both severe CAP and asthma (as group I), severe CAP alone (as group II), and healthy children (as group III) was conducted. Fasting blood samples were taken to the assay of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). The mean of anthropometric and biochemical parameters was compared by ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test between groups.ResultsWe observed TAC levels in groups I and II (0.997 ± 0.22 and 1.23 ± 0.21 mmol/l, respectively) were significantly lower compared with group III (1.46 ± 0.19 mmol/l, P value < 0.001). It was significantly higher in group II than in group I (P value < 0.001). Also, we observed MDA and TNF-α levels in groups I (6.94 ± 1.61 μmol/l, 7.34 ± 2.23 pg/ml, respectively) and II (2.57 ± 0.40 μmol/l, 5.54 ± 1.84 pg/ml, respectively) were significantly higher compared with group III (1.89 ± 0.27 μmol/l, 3.42 ± 1.32 pg/ml, P value < 0.001, P value < 0.001, respectively).VCAM-1 and PAI-1 levels as the endothelial dysfunction biomarkers were significantly higher in group I (1.5 ± 0.62 mmol/l, 10.52 ± 3.2 AU/ml, respectively) compared with groups II (1.06 ± 0.53 mmol/l and 8.23 ± 3.4 AU/ml; P value < 0.001, P value < 0.001, respectively) and III (0.6 ± 0.35 mmol/l and 2.39 ± 0.83 AU/ml; P value < 0.001, P value < 0.001, respectively). Also, VCAM-1 and PAI-1 levels were significantly higher in group II compared with groups III (P value < 0.001, P value < 0.001).ConclusionsAsthma can exacerbate the vascular dysfunction of pneumonia in children by increasing oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction.

Dynamics of indicators of endothelial dysfunction in children with obesity

Introduction. Constitutionally exogenous obesity (CEO) belongs to a number of significant medical and social problems of the modern world, assumes epidemic proportions and leads among alimentary-dependent pathology in children. The aim of the work was to determine changes in indicators of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in children of different age with obesity of various severity. Materials and methods. One hundred twenty six children aged of 6 to 17 years were comprehensively examined, data on changes in the serum content of ED mediators in CEOs grade 1-3 were presented by quantitative determination of nitric oxide, endothelin-1, leptin, homocysteine, intercellular adhesion molecules and vascular cell adhesion-1, tissue-type plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen, Willebrand factor and his antigen. Results. The regularities of changes in the concentrations of these compounds in the blood depending on the age of patients and the degree of obesity, which reflect the functional state of the endothelial system and can serve as criteria for the severity of ED requiring adequate and timely correction in children, have been established. Conclusion. Indicators of endothelial dysfunction can serve as criteria for its severity, their detection will allow optimizing early diagnosis and determining the amount of timely therapy.

Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in pediatric migraine patients.

Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are the suggested underlying mechanisms in migraine. Pentraxins, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio are good indicators of inflammation. Alterations in insulin levels and insulin sensitivity may trigger endothelial dysfunction. This study evaluates the association between migraine and serum biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in children. Children with migraine and healthy subjects were recruited. Serum samples were obtained in an attack-free period. We collected data on serum levels of complete blood cell count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, pentraxin-3, and data from biochemical investigations. We compared these with clinical data such as age, sex, disease duration, attack frequency, attack duration, analgesic use, family history, and Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire scores. We assessed samples from 32 children (11 boys, 21 girls) with migraine and 19 healthy controls (8 boys, 11 girls). We found significantly higher pentraxin-3, insulin, and insulin resistance in patients with migraine (P = 0.001, P = 0.032, and P = 0.008, respectively). A positive directional correlation is found between pentraxin-3 and Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire scores. The best cut-off values for pentraxin-3 is determined between 12.75 pg/mL to 15 pg/mL in migraineurs. In conclusion increased pentraxin-3 levels support the suggestions that inflammation plays a role in pediatric migraine. The vascular endothelial dysfunction is observed by a rise in insulin and insulin resistance levels. Our findings support the idea that ongoing inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction between attacks may play a role in migraine pathogenesis in children.

Медикаментозна корекція ендотеліальної дисфункції в дітей із хронічним пієлонефритом

Актуальність. Своєчасна й достатня медикаментозна корекція ендотеліальної дисфункції в дітей із хронічним пієлонефритом визначає ефективність запобігання його прогресуванню, покращення серцево-судинного й ниркового прогнозу. Мета: вивчення ефективності різних схем медикаментозної корекції ендотеліальної дисфункції в дітей із хронічним пієлонефритом. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 37 дітей віком 11–17 років із хронічним пієлонефритом поза періодом загострення. Перша група (17 пацієнтів) отримувала базисну терапію хронічного пієлонефриту, що включала інгібітор ангіотензинперетворюючого ферменту (іАПФ) еналаприл; друга група (20 пацієнтів) крім стандартної терапії з іАПФ отримувала внутрішньовенну інфузію L-аргініну, а потім його пероральний розчин. Результати. У пацієнтів першої групи зареєстровано тенденцію до збільшення без вірогідної відмінності від стану до лікування значень діаметра плечової артерії в спокої (2,4 ± 0,1 мм), у фазу максимальної вазодилатації (2,9 ± 0,1 мм). Приріст діаметра плечової артерії після лікування вірогідно збільшився порівняно зі значенням до лікування (12,00 ± 0,39 мм). Лінійна швидкість кровотоку в стані спокою зменшувалась статистично незначуще (146,90 ± 1,13 см/с). У пацієнтів другої групи зареєстровано вірогідне збільшення порівняно з вихідним значенням діаметра плечової артерії в спокої (2,80 ± 0,13 мм) і у фазу максимальної вазодилатації (3,40 ± 0,14 мм). Приріст діаметра плечової артерії після лікування вірогідно не відрізнявся від фізіологічної норми (17,20 ± 0,41 мм). Лінійна швидкість кровотоку в стані спокою наближалась до значення в групі контролю без вірогідної різниці (141,20 ± 1,16 см/с). У цілому покращання функціо­нального стану ендотелію судин відбулося в групах на 26,9 і 47,8 % відповідно. Висновки. У хворих на хронічний пієлонефрит без проявів хронічної ниркової недостатності є ефективною монотерапія іАПФ еналаприлом. Для хворих, які мають прояви хронічної ниркової недостатності І–ІІ ступеня, доцільною є комбінована терапія з L-аргініном.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: prerequisites for formation and possibilities of ultrasound diagnostics of structural and functional changes in the vascular system

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children are relatively frequent sleep disorder, with a prevalence of 15 %, in pediatrics population, as reported by different studies. The clinical consequences of OSA are daytime sleepiness, cognitive and behavioral disorders, and poor school performance. OSA has serious social implications given their correlations with cardiovascular diseases and obesity. The article reflects the mechanisms involved in the development of the pathologic changes in cardiovascular system in OSA patients, which remain completely unclear, which determines the need for further study of the problem. The role of endothelial dysfunction in children with OSA as the main marker of vascular damage is considered. The description of ultrasound methods for studying the vascular system in OSA pediatric patients is given. The work on the study of cerebral hemodynamics using transcranial duplex scanning of the vessels of the base of the brain and its changes caused by vascular remodeling in OSA are presented. This review discusses the possibility of ultrasound assessment of endothelium-dependent dilatation of the brachial artery in a test with reactive hyperemia as a functional method for diagnosing endothelial dysfunction in OSA children. The use of these methods will make it possible to timely identify the structural and functional changes in blood vessels, which will allow determining the vector of early prevention and pathogenetically substantiate innovative approaches to the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases in OSA children from the standpoint of sleep medicine.

Endothelial dysfunction in children with chronic kidney disease

Background and ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (ED) are found in the majority of these patients and are factors associated to CVD. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) is a surrogate marker validated for evaluating ED. Our objective was to identify risk factors associated to ED in children with CKD. Materials and MethodsChildren 2–16 years of age were studied. Clinical information and biochemical variables were gathered, including intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), interleukins 6 and 1b, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and homocysteine. FMD was measured, and considered altered if <7%. ResultsIncluded were 129 patients aged 13.1 ± 2.6 years. FMD < 7% was found in 69 (52.7%). Patients with altered FMD had higher levels of triglycerides and hsCRP than those with normal FMD (145.5 mg/dl vs. 120.0 mg/dl, P = .042, y 1.24 U/L vs. 0.55 U/L, P = .007, respectively), as well as higher frequency of low iPTH (19.1% vs. 4.9%, P = .036). Levels of hsCRP correlated significantly with FMD (Rho = −0.28, P = .003). Patients with low iPTH (OR = 4.41, 95%CI 1.13–17.27, P = .033) and increased hsCRP (OR = 2.89, 95%CI 1.16–7.17, P = .022) had higher adjusted risk of having FMD < 7%. ConclusionsHypertriglyceridemia, inflammation and low iPTH associated significantly with altered FMD. They are frequent, treatable risk factors for CVD.

Disfunción endotelial en niños con enfermedad renal crónica

Background and objectiveCardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in children with chronic kidney disease. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are found in the majority of these patients and are factors associated to cardiovascular disease. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) is a surrogate marker validated for evaluating endothelial dysfunction. Our objective was to identify risk factors associated to endothelial dysfunction in children with chronic kidney disease. Materials and methodsChildren 2-16 years of age were studied. Clinical information and biochemical variables were gathered, including intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), interleukins 6 and 1β, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and homocysteine. FMD was measured, and considered altered if<7%. ResultsIncluded were 129 patients aged 13.1±2.6 years. FMD<7% was found in 69 (52.7%). Patients with altered FMD had higher levels of triglycerides and hsCRP than those with normal FMD (145.5 vs. 120.0mg/dL, P=.042, and 1.24 vs. 0.55U/L, P=.007, respectively), as well as higher frequency of low iPTH (19.1 vs. 4.9%, P=.036). Levels of hsCRP correlated significantly with FMD (Rho=−0.28, P=.003). Patients with low iPTH (OR 4.41, 95% CI 1.13-17.27, P=.033) and increased hsCRP (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.16-7.17, P=.022) had higher adjusted risk of having FMD<7%. ConclusionsHypertriglyceridemia, inflammation and low iPTH associated significantly with altered FMD. They are frequent, treatable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Association of Exosomal miR-34a with Markers of Dyslipidemia and Endothelial Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents with T1DM

Objective:Dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction are common disorders and major causative factors for atherosclerosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, their pathophysiology in young patients with T1DM is still under evaluated. We aimed, for the first time, to assess the expression of exosomal micro-RNA 34a (miR-34a) in serum of children and adolescents with T1DM and correlate this expression with markers of dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction.Methods:The study included 120 T1DM patients and 100 control subjects. Assessment of miR-34a was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Lipid profile was assessed on an automated analyzer and serum endoglin and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) concentrations were measured using immunometric methods.Results:Relative expression of miR-34a and serum endoglin and ICAM concentrations were higher in patients than controls (p=0.001) and in patients with dyslipidemia (42 patients) compared to patients without dyslipidemia (78 patients) (p=0.01). Linear regression analysis revealed a strong independent association between exosomal miR-34a expression and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, serum endoglin and serum ICAM after adjustment for other cofactors. The utility of miR-34a as an indicator for associated dyslipidemia was tested using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis which revealed area under the curve: 0.73 with confidence interval: 0.63-0.83 and p=0.001.Conclusion:This was the first study to show the altered expression of exosomal miR-34a among children and adolescents with T1DM. Moreover, association of miR-34a with markers of dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction was identified, suggesting that it could play a role in regulation of lipid metabolism and endothelial function in T1DM.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in Children

To describe the outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) performed in amblyopic aged (younger than 8 years) children. This is a single-center retrospective study, including 11 eyes (7 congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy and 4 congenital glaucoma) of 6 children in amblyopic age undergoing DMEK by a single surgeon (N.C.P.) at Sorocaba Eye Hospital from December 2015 to November 2017. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, pachymetry, endothelial cell density, and complications were evaluated. No intraoperative complications occurred. Graft detachment occurred in 1 eye (9.1%) and was successfully managed with rebubbling. No primary graft failure or pupillary block was observed. All pachymetric measurements improved, and the corneal edema clinically resolved in all eyes within 2 weeks after the procedure. At the last follow-up (mean 30 months), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was ≥20/40 in 7 (77.8%) of 9 eyes from patients cooperative enough to assess vision. All children began visual stimulation therapy and amblyopic treatment within 1 month of surgery, and all grafts remained clear until the last follow-up. The mean preoperative donor endothelial cell density was 2588 ± 236 cells/mm, which decreased to 1726 ± 292 cells/mm 2 years after surgery, yielding a 33% reduction (P < 0.001). No immunologic graft reaction, secondary graft failure, or cataracts were observed during the follow-up period. In this series, DMEK was performed to successfully treat endothelial dysfunction in children. However, the procedure is more challenging, and more studies with more patients and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the superiority of DMEK in treating endothelial dysfunction in children.

Flow-Mediated Dilatation of the Brachial Artery for Assessing Endothelial Dysfunction in Children with Moyamoya Disease

Background: Moyamoya disease is a progressive, steno-occlusive arteriopathy involving the internal carotid artery and its branches and causing recurrent stroke episodes in children. Patients with moyamoya disease may be more susceptible to influences that cause endothelial dysfunction. We evaluated whether flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery is useful for assessing endothelial dysfunction in children with moyamoya disease. Methods: This prospective observational study included 30 children with moyamoya disease and 30 controls. After anesthesia induction, a blood pressure cuff was applied to the forearm and inflated to a pressure that was 50 mm Hg above the baseline systolic blood pressure for 5 min. From 30 s before to 2 min after deflation, the brachial artery diameter was recorded on ultrasound. The increase in internal diameter was expressed as the percentage of the baseline diameter. Results: Fifty-nine patients were analyzed. Baseline brachial artery diameters in the moyamoya and control groups were 3.00 and 3.37 mm, respectively (p = 0.004; difference, 0.38; 95% CI 0.12–0.63), while those after deflation were 3.06 and 3.48 mm, respectively (p = 0.003; difference, 0.42; 95% CI 0.15–0.68). The percent change of the baseline diameter value was 4.0% in the disease group and 8.3% in the control group (p = 0.10). There was a group and time interaction for brachial artery diameter (p = 0.01; main effect of group, p = 0.009; main effect of time, p = 0.007). Conclusion: FMD of the brachial artery may not be enough for determining endothelial dysfunction under general anesthesia in children with moyamoya disease.

P192 Cardiovascular risk in patients with cystic fibrosis: a combined diagnostic approach to the detection of endothelial dysfunction in children and adults

P192 Cardiovascular risk in patients with cystic fibrosis: a combined diagnostic approach to the detection of endothelial dysfunction in children and adults

Humoral markers of endothelial dysfunction in children of the first year of life born with intrauterine growth retardation syndrome

The article presents data on the functional state of endothelium in children of the first year of life, born with different variants of intrauterine growth retardation syndrome. The main group consisted of 60 full-term newborns with hypotrophic and hypoplastic variants of intrauterine growth retardation syndrome. The comparison group included 20 full-term newborns with normal anthropometric indicators. The examination was conducted on 7–10 days of life and at the age of 1 year of life. Newborns of the main group had deviations in health status: perinatal damage to the central nervous system, anemia, irregular colonization of the intestinal microflora, hyperbilirubinemia. Violations of the functional state of the endothelium was manifested by a change in the ratio of vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, in particular, a reduced content of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in the blood and an increased content of renin and vascular endothelial growth factor. During the first year of life, all children were diagnosed with physical underdevelopment. Violation of the functional state of the endothelium was manifested by an increase in the level of endothelin-1, which is a vasoconstrictor. The results obtained allow to suggest that the identified changes contribute to the disruption of blood circulation and gas exchange in the organs and systems that ensure the growth and development of children.

Endothelial dysfunction in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) children and to identify related factors of endothelial dysfunction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Children with habitual snoring (snoring ≥3 nights per week) admitted to the ward of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital were recruited to this study between 1(st) June 2015 and 1(st) March 2016. All children aged 3 to 11 years and of them 245 were boys and 110 were girls. All subjects underwent an overnight polysomnography (PSG), as well as endothelial function testing. All subjects were grouped into primary snoring (PS) and OSAS group according to the obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI). T test or Wilcoxon test were used to compare the differences in PSG results between the two groups, and univariate and multivariate correlation analyses were used to explore the relevant factors affecting the endothelial function. Results: A total of 355 subjects were enrolled and 248 had OSAS, and 107 had PS. There were no significant differences in age, gender and body mass index (BMI) Z-score between the two groups (all P>0.05). OSAS group had higher OAHI, oxgen desaturation index and respiratory related arousal index (5.2 (2.2, 13.2) vs. 0.4 (0.1, 0.7), 4.1 (2.0, 13.1) vs. 0.5 (0.1, 1.0), 2.5 (1.0, 4.8) vs. 0.4 (0.1, 0.9), Z=-14.957, -11.790, -10.378, all P<0.01), and lower minimum oxygen saturation and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) than those of PS (0.89 (0.85, 0.92) vs. 0.94 (0.91, 0.95), 1.2±0.2 vs. 1.1±0.1, Z=-9.337, t=5.354, P<0.01). Univariate regression analysis showed that RHI was linearly correlated with age (parameter estimate=0.017, P<0.01), gender (parameter estimate=0.065, P<0.01), OAHI (parameter estimate=-0.023, P<0.01), oxygen desaturation index (parameter estimate=-0.019, P<0.01), respiratory related arousal index (parameter estimate=-0.031, P<0.01), and oxygen saturation nadir (parameter estimate=0.067, P=0.045). The relationship between BMI Z-score and RHI was quadratic. Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (parameter estimate=0.015, P<0.01), BMI Z-score (parameter estimate=0.040, P<0.01), BMI Z-score quadratic form (parameter estimate=-0.010, P<0.01), respiratory related arousal index (parameter estimate=-0.020, P<0.01) were independently correlated with RHI. Conclusions: Children with OSAS have significant endothelial dysfunction compared with PS. Frequent arousals due to obstructive respiratory events during sleep may be a candidate risk factor for endothelial dysfunction in children with OSAS.

İnvestigation of endothelial dysfunction in children with acute rheumatic fever.

Background:Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an important cause of valvular heart disease in children. Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of valvular heart diseases. The role of endothelial dysfunction in valvular heart diseases due to ARF is not exactly known. In ARF, autoimmune injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, and impairment of nitric oxide in valvular endothelium may be the causes of endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in children with ARF.Materials and Methods:Thirty-six patients diagnosed with ARF (the mean age was 11.80 ± 2.82 years) and 36 volunteered individuals with similar age, sex, and body mass index were included in the study. The study groups were compared in terms of M-mode echocardiography parameters, carotid arterial strain (CAS), beta-stiffness index (βSI), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD).Results:In patients with ARF, there was a decrease in FMD% (10.36 ± 7.26 and 12.76 ± 4.59; P < 0.001) compared to the control group. In addition, CAS (0.16 ± 0.06 and 0.18 ± 0.08; P = 0.44) and βSI (3.65 ± 1.61 and 3.57 ± 2.38; P = 0.24) were similar in the patient and the control groups. Furthermore, no correlation was detected between decreased FMD value and mitral regurgitation (r = −0.07; P = 0.66), aortic regurgitation (r = −0.04; P = 0.78), CAS (r = −0.08; P = 0.61), and βSİ (r = −0.20; P = 0.22).Conclusion:In our study, a decrease in FMD value, which is a marker of endothelial dysfunction, was found in children with rheumatic carditis.

Endothelial Dysfunction and the Effect of Arginine and Citrulline Supplementation in Children and Adolescents With Mitochondrial Diseases.

Background:In addition to the reduced energy production, characteristic of mitochondrial disorders, nitric oxide (NO) deficiency can occur as well. The NO produced by vascular endothelial cells relaxes vascular smooth muscles, resulting in vasodilation that maintains the patency of small blood vessels and promotes blood flow through microvasculature. Endothelial dysfunction due to inability of vascular endothelium to generate enough NO to maintain adequate vasodilation can result in decreased perfusion in the microvasculature of various tissues, contributing to many complications seen in individuals with mitochondrial diseases. The amino acids arginine and citrulline are NO precursors: increasing their concentrations could potentially restore NO production.Methods:In this study, we assessed endothelial dysfunction in children and adolescents with mitochondrial diseases. We also investigated the effect of arginine and citrulline supplementation on endothelial dysfunction in these individuals. We used peripheral arterial tonometry to measure the reactive hyperemic index (RHI), which is low when there is endothelial dysfunction.Results:The results demonstrated low RHI in individuals with mitochondrial diseases, indicating endothelial dysfunction. RHI increased with arginine or citrulline supplementation suggesting that supplementation with NO precursors can improve endothelial dysfunction by enhancing NO production.Conclusions:This study is the first one to use peripheral arterial tonometry methodology in mitochondrial diseases. The results of this study provide evidence for endothelial dysfunction in mitochondrial diseases and demonstrate that arginine or citrulline supplementation can alleviate the endothelial dysfunction, providing more evidence for the potential therapeutic utility of these amino acids in mitochondrial diseases.

Endothelial dysfunction in children with frequently relapsing and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

Background: Impaired endothelial function is a precursor of the atherosclerotic process leading to cardiovascular adverse events. This study evaluated endothelial dysfunction using endothelial markers in children with steroid-resistant NS (SRNS) and frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent NS (FRNS/SDNS). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with short-term follow up. Thirty-five patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS), aged 1–18 years, including 19 with frequent relapses or steroid-dependent NS (FRNS/SDNS) and 16 with steroid resistant NS (SRNS), and 19 age- and gender-matched controls, were enrolled for the study. Soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels were measured in patients with FRNS/SDNS in relapse and after 6 months of steroid-induced remission, at diagnosis in SRNS, and in controls. Results: Levels of vWF, PAI-1, and sTM were significantly higher than controls in patients with active NS (FRNS/SDNS in relapse or SRNS; P