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Updated: May 15, 2026
Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Correlation between endothelial function measured by finger plethysmography in children and HDL-mediated eNOS
Ulrike Müller1, Yae Matsuo, Maximilian Lauber
1University Leipzig - Heart Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Background:
The noninvasive measurement of endothelial function is a very powerful tool to assess cardiovascular disease. Especially in children this is not an easy task, and therefore an easy method like the Endo-Pat device is helpful. Due to the still existing uncertainties of the validity of endothelial measurement by the Endo-PAT device in children, we thought to analyze the correlation between endothelial functional measurement by Endo-PAT, and the capability of HDL to modify nitric oxide (NO) production by phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at the stimulatory site (Ser(1177)) and the inhibitory site (Thr(495)).
Methods:
The reactive hyperemic index (RHI) was measured in 11 school children by the Endo-PAT device. HDL was isolated by ultracentrifugation, and the capability to stimulate eNOS phosphorylation was assessed in cell culture.
Results:
A close correlation between the RHI and the eNOS-Ser(1177) phosphorylation (r=0.66, p=0.02) and the eNOS-Thr(495) phosphorylation (r=-0.60, p=0.04) was detected.
Conclusion:
The results obtained in our limited study performed in healthy children supports the validity of endothelial function measurement in children using the Endo-PAT device. Nevertheless, studies measuring FMD and the RHI index need to confirm the strength of the Endo-Pat device also in children.
