Evaluation Of Endothelial Functions Research Articles

Evaluation of radial artery endothelial functions in transradial coronary angiography according to different radial access sites.

Radial endothelial dysfunction may occur after transradial coronary angiography (CAG). This study aimed to make a comparative evaluation of the radial endothelial functions before and after catheterization between three different radial access sites: left radial (LR) artery, left distal radial (LDR) artery, and right radial (RR) artery. Seventy patients scheduled for elective transradial CAG and intervention from September 6, 2017 to March 6, 2018 were consecutively enrolled. Radial artery endothelial functions of the catheterization arm were measured by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) upon admission, at 24 hours, and 2 months following the procedure. LR access was used in 17 patients, whereas the LDR and the RR access were used in 27 and 26 patients, respectively. Basal radial diameters and FMD median values measured on the intervention arm were found to be similar between groups (LR 3.04±0.29 mm, 13.33%; LDR 2.79±0.31 mm; 13.64%; RR 2.74±0.29 mm; 12.52%, p=0.952). The radial vasodilation percentage change expressed as median decreased in all groups 24 hours after the procedure; however, the one with the LDR access was found to be significantly higher than with the LR (9.7% vs. 6.25% p=0.013) and the RR access (9.7% vs. 3.39 p<0.001). A partial recovery of endothelial functions was seen at 2 months after the procedure, approximating to basal values (11.11%; 12%; 10.62%, p=0.079, respectively). Radial artery functions deteriorate early after transradial catheterization. The LDR access seems safer than the other conventional radial access sites in terms of preservation of radial endothelial functions.

The comparison of the relationships about the presence of branch retinal vein occlusion and endothelial functions between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the endothelial functions in both patients with diabetics and non-diabetics with branch retinal vein occlusion by using pulse wave analysis and flow-mediated dilatation methods. This cross-sectional study included a total of 136 participants (47 diabetic patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, 43 non-diabetic patients with branch retinal vein occlusion, and 46 otherwise healthy subjects). Evaluation of endothelial functions was performed by flow-mediated dilatation and pulse wave analysis methods. Stiffness index, reflection index (RI), and pulse propagation time were calculated. The mean stiffness index and RI were significantly higher in the diabetic branch retinal vein occlusion group compared with the non-diabetic branch retinal vein occlusion and the healthy controls (for stiffness index: 11.5 ± 2.8 vs. 10.1 ± 2.5 and 8.3 ± 2.0, P < 0.001; and for RI: 75.1 ± 11.7 vs. 65.4 ± 8.4 and 60.2 ± 18.8, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas the pulse propagation time was significantly lower in the diabetic group (156.4 ± 32.3 vs. 174.4 ± 46.5 and 205.0 ± 58.5, P < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between visual acuity and stiffness index (r = -0.512, P < 0.001). Besides, there was also a significant positive correlation between visual acuity and pulse propagation time (r = 0.398, P < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the stiffness index and RI values were higher in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion compared to the healthy subjects.

Evaluation of ghrelin levels and endothelial functions in patients with coronary slow flowphenomenon.

BackgroundGhrelin has recently been reported to have beneficial effects on cardiac contractile functions and coronary blood flow. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ghrelin in the pathogenesis of coronary slow flow (CSF) together with endothelial functions.MethodsTwenty-five patients having normal coronary arteries with CSF and 25 controls with normal coronary flow were included into the study. The quantitative measurement of coronary blood flow was performed for each coronary artery using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) method. Ghrelin levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method from venous blood samples. Endothelial functions were evaluated from the brachial artery with the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate-related dilation methods.ResultsThere was a significant difference in terms of mean TFC values between the control and CSF groups (p < 0.001 for all coronary arteries). The mean FMD percentage among patients with CSF was lower than that of the control group (5.9 ± 0.8 vs. 10.7% ± 1.1%; p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between the FMD percentages and the TFCs. There was no relationship between the TFC and ghrelin levels.ConclusionPlasma ghrelin levels seem to be uninfluential while impaired endothelial functions play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of CSF.

Endothelial Functions.

The endothelium plays important roles in modulating vascular tone by synthesizing and releasing a variety of endothelium-derived relaxing factors, including vasodilator prostaglandins, NO, and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factors, as well as endothelium-derived contracting factors. Endothelial dysfunction is mainly caused by reduced production or action of these relaxing mediators. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that endothelial functions are essential to ensure proper maintenance of vascular homeostasis and that endothelial dysfunction is the hallmark of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases associated with pathological conditions toward vasoconstriction, thrombosis, and inflammatory state. In the clinical settings, evaluation of endothelial functions has gained increasing attention in view of its emerging relevance for cardiovascular disease. Recent experimental and clinical studies in the vascular biology field have demonstrated a close relationship between endothelial functions and cardiovascular disease and the highlighted emerging modulators of endothelial functions, new insight into cardiovascular disease associated with endothelial dysfunction, and potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets with major clinical implications. We herein will summarize the current knowledge on endothelial functions from bench to bedside with particular focus on recent publications in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

Evaluation of Endothelial Functions in Patients With Behcet's Disease Without Overt Vascular Involvement

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcerations and ocular lesions. This multisystemic disorder primarily affects the vascular system. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate vascular endothelial function in patients with Behcet' s disease without vascular involvement. We studied 40 patients with BD (44.9±5.4 years) and 20 healthy controls (45.4±8.2 years). Brachial artery Doppler ultrasonography (USG) and bilateral carotid artery intima-media thickness measurements were performed. Basal diameter of the brachial artery were similar between the two groups. However, flow-mediated dilation was markedly impaired in patients with Behcet' s disease (p=0.03). Nitrate-induced dilation values were similar between the two groups (p=0.16). Carotid artery intima-media thickness was slightly increased in the patient group compared to the control group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (0.69±0.15 to 0.59±0.09 respectively; p=0.06). Vascular endothelial function is impaired in BD. Brachial artery Doppler USG is a reliable and reproducible method to establish changes in vascular functions.

701 動脈硬化の超早期診断技術に向けた内皮および平滑筋細胞の機能計測法の開発(OS9-1 臨床へのバイオメカニクス1,OS9 臨床へのバイオメカニクス)

701 動脈硬化の超早期診断技術に向けた内皮および平滑筋細胞の機能計測法の開発(OS9-1 臨床へのバイオメカニクス1,OS9 臨床へのバイオメカニクス)

The Evaluation of Endothelial Functions in Patients with Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is characterized by malabsorption resulting from inflammatory injury to the mucosa of the small intestine after the ingestion of wheat gluten or related rye and barley proteins. This study aimed to identify individuals who are at risk of heart failure and increased risk for cardiovascular events by evaluating endothelial function in patients with celiac disease. The study included 36 patients with celiac disease and 35 healthy volunteers. After all routine laboratory examination, left ventricular functions were evaluated with standard two-dimensional, M-mode conventional Doppler methods. Then, flow-mediated dilatation and nitroglycerin-dependent dilatation tests on brachial artery were performed to all patients and controls. A total of 36 celiac patients and 35 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The brachial artery diameter at baseline was similar between both groups. Measured brachial artery diameter after hyperemia was 30.19 ± 4.47 mm in celiac patients and 32.35 ± 3.77 mm in the control group. Differences between two groups were statistically significant (P = 0.031). Flow-mediated vasodilatation was lower in celiac patients compared with in controls (10.61 ± 2.64% vs 13.09 ± 2.9%; P = 0.0003). Measured endothelium-independent vasodilatation in the brachial artery before and after nitroglycerin was similar between both groups (P = 0.09 and P = 0.07, respectively). This research which aimed to evaluate endothelial dysfunction in patients with celiac disease is the first in the literature. As a result of this study, we found endothelial dysfunction at the macrovascular level in celiac patients.

A microcirculação no diabetes: implicações nas complicações crônicas e tratamento da doença

Diabetic microangiopathy is responsible for an important rate of morbidity and mortality related to the disease. Endothelial damage seems to be the triggering factor in the pathogenesis of microvascular complications. Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases are associated to endothelial dysfunction, the most precocious known marker of atherosclerosis. Changes on microvascular reactivity are present in patients with diabetes mellitus, as well as in individuals with risk factors for this disease. Evaluation of endothelial and microvascular functions is possible using different invasive or preferentially non-invasive methods. Adequate control of diabetes mellitus might postpone or perhaps even prevent the microvascular disease. Microvascular dysfunction, when seen only by changes on microvascular reactivity, could be ameliorated with correction of risk factors or drug treatment.

Standardization of the techniques evaluating endothelial functions.

Assessment of endothelial functions is an important area of medical research. Endothelial functions provide vital information for the management of coronary artery disease (CAD). As a measurable parameter, endothelial functions give a prognostic index that integrates the overall stress imposed by coronary risk factors. Evaluation of endothelial functions by non-invasive modes using ultrasound probes is a sensitive and hazard-free technique. However, standardization of the technique is of prime importance to generate a reliable data in the clinical practice.

New methods to evaluate endothelial function: Evaluation of endothelial function by hemoglobin-nitric oxide complex using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

This minireview describes the practical use of assay systems to detect nitric oxide (NO) by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for evaluation of endothelial functions. The iron(II)-dithiocarbamate complexes, such as iron(II)-(N-methyl-D-glucamine dithiocarbamate), are commonly used in EPR detection of NO both in vivo and in vitro. However, due to their redox activity, these complexes have some drawbacks that limit their usefulness for the detection of NO. On the other hand, the measurement of hemoglobin-NO adduct (HbNO) in whole blood by the EPR method seems relevant for the assessment of systemic NO levels. However, ceruloplasmin and an unknown radical species overlapping the same magnetic field as that of HbNO, which makes it physically impossible to measure small amounts of HbNO. Thus, to reveal the EPR spectrum of HbNO, we developed the EPR signal subtraction method, which is based on the computer-assisted subtraction of the digitized EPR spectrum of HbNO-depleted blood from that of the sample blood using software. Using this technique, we succeeded in measuring the steady blood HbNO level as an index of NO by the EPR HbNO signal subtraction method. We also demonstrated that temocapril reduces abnormalities of NO dynamics in the L-NAME (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine-methylester)-induced endothelial dysfunction of rats using the EPR HbNO signal subtraction method.