[Endothelial dysfunction and lipid profiles: analysis of the EDO Study].
On the basis of experimental as well as clinical observations, endothelial dysfunction is (defined as impaired or absent endothelium-dependent relaxation) considered to be an important factor in the atherogenesis. Serum lipids abnormalities have been accepted as an epidemiological risk factor of atherosclerosis. In vitro, experimental as well as epidemiological studies revealed the fact, that lipoprotein oxidation plays an important role in atherogenesis. Recently invented non-invasive methods to test and measure the endothelial function in vivo opened the opportunity to study the influence of different serum lipids on the endothelial function directly. Therefore, we decided to employ this non-invasive method for studying the endothelial function and observe the influence of various levels of plasma lipids and lipoprotein oxidation on the endothelial function of arteries in middle-aged men, since they are the most endangered part of population. In our study we used a method of measuring the diameter of a. radialis by high-resolution ultrasound (Sonoline 450, Siemens, Japan) and further mathematical and statistical analysis of functional as well as relative vasodilation reserve followed these measurements. Blood samples were taken within 24 hours of ultrasonography to study serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides) and parameters of oxidation/antioxidation (superoxid dismutase--SOD, malondialdehyde--MDA). Sixty men, 25-45 years old, from an area of basically the same level of pollution were examined. We found a negative correlation between FVDR and TCH (p = 0.01), FVDR and Tg (p = 0.002) and FVDR a TCH/HDL (p = 0.015). Positive correlation exists (p < 0.001) between TCH, Tg levels and TCH/HDL ratio and MDA level in all cases. Analysing further data from the EDO Study, we can conclude, that increased plasma lipids are more likely to be oxidized, which, in turn, is the probable reason of endothelium-dependent vasodilation impairment.