Endothelial dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesized that endothelial dysfunction could be a marker of the proatherogen status in COPD.


RESULTS
We measured endothelial dysfunction by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (nitrate-mediated dilation: NMD) in 44 COPD patients and 48 controls. Compared with controls COPD patients had worse mean FMD (5.4% vs 8.2%, P < .001) and NMD (12.0% vs 13.9%, P = .007). FMD was inversely related to FEV1/VC ratio (r = -0.327, P = .030). The negative association between COPD and FMD was confirmed after correction for potential confounders in a multiple linear regression model (beta = -0.019, P = .002). In the same model NMD (beta = 0.396, P < .001) was positively associated with FMD.


CONCLUSIONS
Endothelial-dependent and, to a lesser extent, endothelial-independent dilations are significantly impaired in COPD, and the impairment is proportional to the severity of bronchial obstruction.
Moro
Leo
L
Area di Geriatria, Università Campus Biomedico, Rome, Italy. l.moro@unicampus.it
Pedone
Claudio
C
Scarlata
Simone
S
Malafarina
Vincenzo
V
Fimognari
Filippo
F
Antonelli-Incalzi
Raffaele
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013147:Spirometry; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014797:Vital Capacity
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin