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Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Peripheral haemodynamics and renal function in relation to the menstrual cycle
E van Beek1, A J Houben, P N van Es
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|August 1, 1996
Summary
This study found no general vascular relaxation during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Skin blood flow was lower, and glomerular filtration rate was higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- The menstrual cycle involves hormonal fluctuations that may influence vascular function.
- Previous research has hypothesized a state of general vascular relaxation during the luteal phase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in vascular tone and blood flow between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.
- To determine if a general state of vascular relaxation occurs in the luteal phase.
Main Methods:
- Non-invasive measurements of arterial blood pressure, vascular tone (pulse-wave velocity, plethysmography), skin blood flow (laser-Doppler), forearm blood flow (plethysmography), and renal blood flow (para-aminohippurate clearance).
- Glomerular filtration rate was assessed using inulin clearance.
- Data from luteal and follicular phases were compared using non-parametric tests.
Main Results:
- Arterial blood pressure, vascular tone, forearm blood flow, and renal blood flow were similar between the two phases.
- Skin blood flow was significantly lower in the luteal phase.
- Glomerular filtration rate was higher in the luteal phase, often associated with increased renal blood flow.
Conclusions:
- The hypothesis of general vascular relaxation in the luteal phase was not supported.
- Lower skin blood flow in the luteal phase may be an adaptation for thermoregulation.
- Elevated glomerular filtration rate in the luteal phase may result from selective vasodilation of afferent renal arterioles.
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