title: Impaired arterial smooth muscle cell vasodilatory function in methamphetamine users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Methamphetamine use is a strong risk factor for stroke. This study was designed to evaluate arterial function and structure in methamphetamine users ultrasonographically.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, 20 methamphetamine users and 21 controls, aged between 20 and 40years, were enrolled. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) marker of early atherogenesis, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) determinants of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation (NMD) independent marker of vasodilation were measured in two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic and metabolic characteristics. The mean (±SD) CCA-IMT in methamphetamine users was 0.58±0.09mm, versus 0.59±0.07mm in the controls (p=0.84). Likewise, FMD% was not significantly different between the two groups [7.6±6.1% in methamphetamine users vs. 8.2±5.1% in the controls; p=0.72], nor were peak flow and shear rate after hyperemia. However, NMD% was considerably decreased in the methamphetamine users [8.5±7.8% in methamphetamine users vs. 13.4±6.2% in controls; p=0.03].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, NMD is reduced among otherwise healthy methamphetamine users, which represents smooth muscle dysfunction in this group. This may contribute to the high risk of stroke among methamphetamine users.
authors: Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Ghaemeh
authors: G
authors: Nabaei
authors: Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Shahram
authors: S
authors: Oveisgharan
authors: Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Askar
authors: A
authors: Ghorbani
authors: Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: f-fatehi@tums.ac.ir.
authors: Farzad
authors: F
authors: Fatehi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008694:Methamphetamine; D005996:Nitroglycerin
keywords: Carotid intima-media thickness; Flow-mediated dilatation; Methamphetamine; Nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation; Stroke; Ultrasound