title: Soluble Fas ligand plasma levels are associated with forearm reactive hyperemia in subjects with coronary artery disease: a novel biomarker of endothelial function?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fas ligand expression by endothelial cells is downregulated under proinflammatory conditions, facilitating the vascular infiltration by circulating cells. We have analyzed whether the forearm vasodilatory response to reactive hyperemia is associated with soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) plasma concentrations in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forearm blood flow to reactive hyperemia, an indicator of endothelial function, and forearm blood flow to nitroglycerin (endothelial-independent) were measured in 110 subjects with stable CAD. sFasL and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a linear trend for the increase of sFasL and forearm reactive hyperemia (p<0.001). In contrast, no association was observed between sFasL and forearm blood flow to nitroglycerine. sFasL was not related with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. Partial correlation coefficient adjusted by age and gender remained significant between sFasL and forearm blood flow to reactive hyperemia (r=0.35; p<0.001). No association between CRP concentrations and forearm reactive hyperemia, forearm blood flow to nitroglycerin or sFasL plasma concentrations was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that sFasL levels could reflect endothelial function in subjects with CAD and suggest that sFasL plasma concentrations could be a potential biomarker of endothelial function.
authors: Vascular Research Lab, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Autónoma University, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Luis M
authors: LM
authors: Blanco-Colio
authors: José L
authors: JL
authors: Martín-Ventura
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Tuñón
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: García-Camarero
authors: José R
authors: JR
authors: Berrazueta
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Egido
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein