Relation between C reactive protein concentrations and coronary microvascular endothelial function.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how C reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation, is related to coronary endothelial function.


METHODS
Changes in quantitative coronary angiographic findings and Doppler flow velocity measurements in response to locally infused acetylcholine were assessed.


METHODS
Tertiary cardiology centre.


METHODS
46 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries were divided into groups with normal (< or = 3 mg/l) or increased (> 3 mg/l) CRP concentrations.


METHODS
Acetylcholine (3 and 30 microg/min) was infused into the left coronary ostium for two minutes.


METHODS
Percentage change in diameter of epicardial coronary arteries and coronary blood flow (CBF) in response to acetylcholine; and correlations between these parameters and serum CRP concentrations.


RESULTS
15 patients had increased CRP concentrations. The change in coronary artery diameter induced by acetylcholine infusion was similar between the groups but the increase in CBF induced by acetylcholine was smaller in patients with increased CRP concentrations (54.9% v 139.4% with acetylcholine 30 microg/min, p = 0.0030). Multivariate analysis identified increased CRP concentration as independently associated with attenuated CBF response to acetylcholine at 30 microg/min (p = 0.0078, R2 = 0.434).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that inflammation appears to be associated with impaired coronary endothelial function in resistance but not conduit vessels. The data suggest a close relation between chronic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis.
Teragawa
H
H
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan 734-8551. hteraga@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Fukuda
Y
Y
Matsuda
K
K
Ueda
K
K
Higashi
Y
Y
Oshima
T
T
Yoshizumi
M
M
Chayama
K
K
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000109:Acetylcholine