title: Contribution of prostanoids to endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in the digital circulation of women with primary Raynaud's disease.
abstract: In 15 women with PR (primary Raynaud's) disease and in 15 matched control women, ACh (acetylcholine) was delivered by iontophoresis to the dorsum of the finger (seven 20 s pulses of 0.1 mA, followed by one 20 s pulse of 0.2 mA, applied at 60 s intervals). Cutaneous RCF (red cell flux) was recorded from the same site by the laser Doppler technique. ACh evoked progressive increases in RCF that were comparable in pre- and post-menopausal women with PR [maxima of 294+/-113 and 259+/-59 pu (perfusion units) respectively, n = 7 and 8 respectively], and in pre-menopausal controls (225+/-92 pu, n = 7), but smaller in post-menopausal controls (140+/-63 pu, n = 8; P < 0.05). Aspirin (600 mg, orally), a COX (cyclo-oxygenase) inhibitor, potentiated the ACh-evoked dilator responses in pre- and post-menopausal women with PR (343+/-129 and 311+/-48 pu respectively) and post-menopausal controls (277+/-124 pu; P < 0.05), but had no effect in pre-menopausal controls (225+/-92 pu). These results suggest that vasoconstrictor COX products limit ACh-evoked endothelium-dependent cutaneous dilatation in the digits in pre- and post-menopausal women with PR and in post-menopausal, but not pre-menopausal, control women. We propose that PR disease is associated with abnormality in the ability of oestrogen to modulate the synthesis of endothelium-dependent vasodilator and/or vasoconstrictor COX products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Melanie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Easter
authors.forename: Janice M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001241:Aspirin; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000109:Acetylcholine; D001241:Aspirin