Document Detail


Flow-mediated dilatation following wrist and upper arm occlusion in humans: the contribution of nitric oxide.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11724650     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery assessed by high-resolution ultrasound is widely used to measure endothelial function. However, the technique is not standardized, with different groups using occlusion of either the wrist or the upper arm to induce increased blood flow. The validity of the test as a marker of endothelial function rests on the assumption that the dilatation observed is endothelium-dependent and mediated by nitric oxide (NO). We sought to compare the NO component of brachial artery dilatation observed following wrist or upper arm occlusion. Dilatation was assessed before and during intra-arterial infusion of the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) following occlusion of (i) the wrist (distal to ultrasound probe) and (ii) the upper arm (proximal to ultrasound probe) for 5 min in ten healthy males. Dilatation was significantly greater after upper arm occlusion (upper arm, 11.62+/-3.17%; wrist, 7.25+/-2.49%; P=0.003). During L-NMMA infusion, dilatation after wrist occlusion was abolished (from 7.25+/-2.49% to 0.16+/-2.24%; P<0.001), whereas dilatation after upper arm occlusion was only partially attenuated (from 11.62+/-3.17% to 7.51+/-2.34%; P=0.006). The peak flow stimulus was similar after wrist and upper arm occlusion. We conclude that dilatation following upper arm occlusion is greater than that observed after wrist occlusion, despite a similar peak flow stimulus. L-NMMA infusion revealed that FMD following wrist occlusion is mediated exclusively by NO, while dilatation following upper arm occlusion comprises a substantial component not mediated by NO, most probably related to tissue ischaemia around the brachial artery. FMD following wrist occlusion may be a more valid marker of endothelial function than dilatation following upper arm occlusion.
Authors:
S N Doshi; K K Naka; N Payne; C J Jones; M Ashton; M J Lewis; J Goodfellow
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical science (London, England : 1979)     Volume:  101     ISSN:  0143-5221     ISO Abbreviation:  Clin. Sci.     Publication Date:  2001 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-11-28     Completed Date:  2002-01-07     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7905731     Medline TA:  Clin Sci (Lond)     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  629-35     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Sciences Research Group, Wales Heart Research Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Arm / blood supply*
Brachial Artery / physiology
Constriction
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
Humans
Male
Nitric Oxide / physiology*
Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors,  physiology
Reproducibility of Results
Vasodilation / physiology*
Wrist / blood supply
omega-N-Methylarginine / pharmacology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Enzyme Inhibitors; 10102-43-9/Nitric Oxide; 17035-90-4/omega-N-Methylarginine; EC 1.14.13.39/Nitric Oxide Synthase

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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