Method optimization to assess endothelial function in females-duration of glyceryl trinitrate effect

Pulse-wave analysis (PWA) combined with pharmacological challenges has recently been used as a method to measure endothelial function. This involved administration of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), followed by salbutamol as endothelium-independent and -dependent vasodilators, respectively. The duration of GTN effect needs to be established before the administration of salbutamol. Baseline augmentation index (AIx) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) measurements were taken in 11 healthy female subjects (mean age 23.27 +/- 3.66 years). Sublingual GTN 0.5 mg was administered for 3 min, followed by AIx and PWV measurements every 5 min till 20 min and then every 10 min until 40 min post-GTN. Maximum change in AIx post-GTN was at 3 min with a mean change from the baseline of -17.86% +/- 4.40% (p < 0.001). There were no significant changes noted after 30 and 40 min with mean change being -0.82% +/- 2.61% and 0.14% +/- 3.20%, respectively (p > 0.05). Significant changes in PWV were noted at 5 and 10 min with the mean change of -0.33 +/- 0.36 m/s and -0.33 +/- 0.35 m/s, respectively (p = 0.01). There were no further changes noted at 15 min and thereafter (p > 0.05). A duration of at least 30 min after GTN is required for AIx and PWV values to reach their baseline. Thus, the administration of salbutamol should be given only after 30 min of sublingual GTN for the assessment of endothelial function.