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Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
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Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000

Published on: October 15, 2010

Relationship between endogenous concentrations of vasoactive substances and measures of peripheral vasodilator

Darren P Casey1, Wilmer W Nichols, C Richard Conti

  • 1Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Center for Exercise Science, Gainesville, Florida, USA. casey.darren@mayo.edu

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology
|June 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Plasma nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) levels correlate with improved peripheral vasodilator function in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. This suggests NO(x) may indicate vascular health in CAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Vascular Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with impaired peripheral vasodilator function.
  • Nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are key regulators of vascular tone.
  • Non-invasive assessment of vasodilator function is crucial for managing CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between plasma NO(x) and ET-1 levels and peripheral vasodilator function in patients with CAD.
  • To determine if plasma NO(x) or ET-1 can serve as biomarkers for vascular dysfunction in CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-two patients with angiographic CAD were studied.
  • Peripheral vasodilator function was assessed non-invasively using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and forearm venous occlusion plethysmography.
  • Plasma concentrations of NO(x) and ET-1 were measured.

Main Results:

  • Plasma NO(x) concentrations positively correlated with brachial artery FMD (r=0.73, P<0.001) and forearm vasodilation (r=0.63, P<0.01).
  • Plasma ET-1 concentrations were inversely related to FMD% (r=-0.45, P<0.05).
  • These findings indicate a significant association between NO(x) levels and vascular reactivity in both conduit and resistance arteries.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma NO(x) levels are closely related to peripheral vasodilator function in patients with CAD.
  • Measurement of plasma NO(x) may be a valuable, non-invasive marker for detecting peripheral vasodilator dysfunction in CAD patients.
  • These findings highlight the role of the nitric oxide pathway in vascular health in CAD.

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