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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Comparison of Endothelial Function in Asian Indians Versus Caucasians
Snigdha Pusalavidyasagar1, Fatima H Sert Kuniyoshi2, Abu S M Shamsuzzaman3
11 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Insights
Asian Indian men show no difference in endothelial function compared to Caucasian men, despite higher coronary artery disease mortality in Asian Indians. This study assessed flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and non-flow mediated vasodilatation (NFMD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Vascular Biology
- Ethnic Health Disparities
Background:
- Asian Indians exhibit significantly higher mortality rates from coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Impaired endothelial function is a known risk factor for cardiovascular events.
- This study investigated potential differences in endothelial function between Asian Indians and Caucasians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that endothelial function is attenuated in Asian Indian men compared to Caucasian men.
- To compare measures of endothelial function in healthy, non-smoking men of Asian Indian and Caucasian ethnicity.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound assessment of brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and endothelium-independent non-flow mediated vasodilatation (NFMD) was performed.
- 25 healthy, non-smoking men (14 Asian Indian, 11 Caucasian) without prior cardiovascular disease or diabetes were studied.
- Measurements were taken in the morning after awakening in a fasting state.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in mean age, body mass index (BMI), heart rate, or blood pressure between the groups.
- Brachial artery diameter, corrected for body surface area, was similar between Asian Indians and Caucasians.
- Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and non-flow mediated vasodilatation (NFMD) were comparable in both ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial function is not attenuated in Asian Indian men compared to Caucasian men.
- These findings suggest that other factors may contribute to the increased CAD mortality observed in the Asian Indian population.
Background:
Asian Indians have markedly increased mortality due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Impaired endothelial function has been linked to an increased risk of acute cardiovascular events. We tested the hypothesis that endothelial function was attenuated in Asian Indians and Caucasians.
Methods:
We studied 14 Asian Indians [mean age: 30 ± 6 years; mean body mass index (BMI): 25 ± 3 kg/m(2)] and 11 Caucasians (mean age: 30 ± 5 years; mean BMI: 26 ± 2 kg/m(2)). All 25 subjects were healthy men and nonsmokers without any history of CAD or diabetes and were not taking medications. Endothelial function was evaluated by ultrasound measures of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and endothelium-independent nonflow mediated vasodilatation (NFMD) of the brachial artery, in the morning immediately after awakening (6 a.m.) in a fasting state.
Results:
Mean age, BMI, apnea-hypopnea index, heart rate, and blood pressure were similar in both groups (P = >0.05). When correcting for body surface area, brachial artery diameter was not different between the two groups (2.1% ± 0.3% vs. 2.2% ± 0.4%; P = 0.29). FMD and NFMD were similar in Asian Indians and Caucasians (5.9% ± 4.1% vs. 5.7% ± 2.6%, P = 0.70; 16.4% ± 8% vs. 14.8% ± 4.1%, P = 0.58, respectively).
Conclusion:
Endothelial function in Asian Indian men is not attenuated in comparison to Caucasian men.
