title: The relation of arterial stiffness to endothelial function in healthy subjects.
abstract: Local wall stiffness affects endothelial responsiveness but how global measures affect responsiveness is unanswered. We assessed this by comparing reactive hyperaemic responses of brachial diameter (RHRBD) with central (heart-to-brachial artery pulse wave velocity (PWV); large (C1)) and peripheral (C2) arterial stiffness. Twelve healthy subjects were investigated. RHRBD was induced via an upper- or forearm occluding cuff. Arterial diameter changes were measured using echo ultrasound. Arterial stiffness and RHRBD were compared using a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altman analysis of Z-scores (indicated as 95% confidence intervals (CI) and expressed in units of standard deviation (SD) from the mean). Weak relations were found between upper-arm RHRBD responses and C2 (r = 0.56, P = 0.06; 95% CI +/- 1.84 SDs) and C1 (r = 0.55, P = 0.06; 95% CI +/- 1.86 SDs). An inverse relation was found between upper-arm RHRBD responses and PWV (r = -0.55, P = 0.06), but Bland-Altman plots revealed no agreement between these parameters (P > 0.05; 95% CI +/- 3.46 SDs). Forearm RHRBD were not related to PWV, C1 or C2 (P > 0.05; 95% CI > 2 SDs). The weak relation between upper-arm endothelial responses and C2 and C1 seems to suggest that C2, and also C1, is not a good and reliable method for assessments of endothelial health. Furthermore, if anything, upper-arm mediated RHRBD responses are more affected by arterial stiffness than forearm responses.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition, Nutrition and Health Enhancement, Unilever Food and Health Research Institute, Olivier van Noortlaan 120, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. ciwright26@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: K A J
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Brouwer-de Cock
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Kroner
authors.forename: A P G
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Hoeks
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Draijer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D003187:Compliance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011674:Pulse