title: The vascular response to vasodilators is related to the membrane content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in hypertensive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Abnormal vascular reactivity contributes to the pathophysiology of hypertension and hypertension-related organ damage. As the dietary content of fatty acids may affect the vascular responses, we investigated the relationship of endothelium-independent and endothelium-dependent vasodilation with the fatty acid composition of red blood cell (RBC) membranes in hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 45 uncomplicated hypertensive patients, we measured the content of fatty acids in RBC membrane as a marker of dietary intake of fatty acids, and the vasodilatory response of the brachial artery to both nitrate-donor compound (nitrate-mediated vasodilation, NMD) and postischemic reactive hyperemia (flow-mediated vasodilation, FMD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline diameter of the brachial artery was significantly lower and vasodilatory response to NMD was significantly greater in patients with RBC membrane polyunsaturated-to-saturated fatty acid (PUFA/SFA) ratio above the median of the distribution than in patients with PUFA/SFA ratio below the median, whereas no difference was observed in FMD. n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA content, and the PUFA/SFA ratio of RBC membranes were related inversely with brachial artery diameter and directly with maximal NMD, whereas no relationship of fatty acid components of RBC membrane with FMD was observed. Multivariate analysis that included demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical variables indicated that the RBC membrane PUFA/SFA ratio was an independent determinant of brachial artery diameter and NMD response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endothelium-independent brachial artery vasodilation is independently related to the PUFA content of RBC membranes in patients with hypertension. This suggests the possible benefits of PUFA-enriched diets on the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure in these patients.
authors.affiliation: aHypertension Unit, Clinica Medica, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medical Science, University of Udine bSan Antonio Hospital, San Daniele del Friuli, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: GianLuca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colussi
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Catena
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dialti
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mos
authors.forename: Leonardo A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sechi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014664:Vasodilation; D014665:Vasodilator Agents
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D014665:Vasodilator Agents