Endothelial dysfunction evaluated by flow mediated dilation is strongly associated to metabolic syndrome in the elderly

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2010 Aug;22(4):303-7. doi: 10.1007/BF03337727. Epub 2009 Nov 27.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess whether endothelial dysfunction, evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), is related to the occurrence of the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in old age. Eighty patients (25 men and 55 women), mean age 74.1±7.4 years (range 65-99 yrs) were studied. Information on all subjects, medical history and regular medications was obtained. Subjects underwent a clinical examination and laboratory tests. The presence of MetS was evaluated according to the revised NCEP-ATP III criteria. An ultrasound vascular examination (US) of the carotid and brachial arteries was performed in all patients. Intima-media thickness (IMT), presence of plaques (PL), endothelium-dependent (EDV) and -independent vasodilation (EIDV) were also evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence/absence of MetS. Significant differences were found between MetS and non MetS patients in: EDV (p<0.01), EIDV (p<0.05) and Homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA) (p<0.02), but not in IMT or PL. MetS was significantly associated with FMD reduction (R 0.4, p<0.005) independently of all possible confounding factors other than EIDV, IMT and PL.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brachial Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Brachial Artery / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Carotid Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Arteries / physiopathology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Media / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vasodilation