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ABSTRACT: The radial artery wall structure can be measured with non-invasive very high-resolution ultrasound with great feasibility and high accuracy. In the present study, we aim to explore clinical correlates of radial artery intima-media thickness (rIMT), in a relatively large patient cohort with suspected coronary artery disease, and further compare those to common carotid artery IMT (cIMT) that is an accepted surrogate marker of atherosclerosis.
Four hundred and sixteen patients referred to myocardial perfusion scintigram (MPS) were recruited, and cIMT and rIMT were scanned using conventional and very high-resolution ultrasound (55 MHz transducer), respectively. A number of plasma biomarkers were also measured.
Both cIMT and rIMT were similarly correlated with disease history, MPS-verified ischemia, carotid plaque burden, and lipid status. Repeated measurement of rIMT showed acceptable variability.
Radial artery IMT may constitute a novel feasible imaging biomarker for systemic atherosclerosis burden, which may be used in future imaging trials to evaluate, e.g. anti-atherosclerotic treatments.
Atherosclerosis 03/2012; 221(1):118-23. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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Britt G Gabrielsson,
Johannes Wikström,
Robert Jakubowicz,
Sofia K Marmon,
Nils-Gunnar Carlsson,
Nina Jansson, Li-Ming Gan,
Ingrid Undeland,
Malin Lönn,
Agneta Holmäng,
Ann-Sofie Sandberg
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ABSTRACT: Diet is a significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and high fish intake has been associated with vascular health in population studies. However, intervention studies have been inconclusive. In this study, male low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice were given 16-week high fat/high sucrose diets, supplemented with either minced herring fillets or minced beef. The diets were matched in total fat and cholesterol content; taurine content and fatty acid composition was analysed. Body weights were recorded throughout the study; plasma lipids were analysed at week 8 and 16. Body composition and adipocyte size were evaluated at study end. Atherosclerosis was evaluated at week 12 (ultrasound) and at termination (en face histology). Herring-fed mice had a higher proportion of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the hepatic triacylglycerides (TAG) and phospholipid fractions. The herring-fed mice had increased body weight (P=0.007), and reduced epididymal adipocyte size (P=0.009), despite similar food intake and body composition as the beef-fed mice. The herring-fed mice had lower plasma TAG and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol concentrations throughout the study (TAG; P=0.0012 and 0.004, VLDL-cholesterol; P=0.006 and 0.041, week 8 and 16, respectively). At week 16, the herring-fed had higher plasma concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (P=0.004) and less atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch (P=0.007) compared with the beef-fed mice. In conclusion, dietary herring in comparison to beef markedly improved vascular health in this mouse model, suggesting that herring provides an added value beyond its content of macronutrients.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine 12/2011; 29(3):331-7. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Total longitudinal displacement (tLoD) of the common carotid artery can be measured using the ultrasound-based velocity vector imaging (VVI) technique. This study aimed to investigate clinical correlates and the possible predictive value of tLoD for cardiovascular outcome.
Four hundred forty-one patients referred for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy examination for suspected coronary artery disease were recruited and underwent VVI-assisted tLoD measurement. Patients were followed up with regard to major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) 1 year later. Low tLoD (≤ 0.055 mm) was associated with greater clinically determined myocardial ischemia (P<0.01). During a median follow-up time of 372 days, 61 MACEs occurred. In a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, high tLoD (>0.055 mm) predicted 1-year event-free survival (P<0.01, highest versus lowest tertile odds ratio [OR] = 1.9). In a Cox regression model adjusting for age, gender, intima-media thickness, radial strain, pulse pressure, and percentage reversibility mass of myocardium, low tLoD remained a significant independent predictor of MACE (P = 0.03). Finally, low tLoD provided additional predictive value in subjects with increased intima-media thickness.
VVI-derived tLoD seems to reflect cardiovascular status and predicts short-term event-free survival in medium- to high-risk patients. Finally, tLoD per se or in combination with intima-media thickness measurement may be a novel cardiovascular surrogate biomarker.
Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 07/2011; 31(7):1668-74. · 6.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Velocity vector imaging can be used to assess longitudinal common carotid artery (CCA) wall movement (tLoD) in man. To deepen our mechanistic understanding, we aimed to adapt this technique to atherosclerotic prone mice models.
46 mice fed with high fat diet were included in the study. The CCAs were scanned with ultrasound biomicroscopy and cine looped images were stored for later off-line analysis with Vevostrain. Measurement of intima media-thickness (IMT) and plaque burden was performed. Further, blood samples were analyzed. In addition, a human study group of 10 patients with CCA plaques and 10 matched controls were analyzed.
The tLoD of the CCA was successfully measured with Vevostrain-technique in all investigated mice. Mice with low tLoD compared to higher tLoD showed greater plaque burden in the brachiocephalic artery (0.1096 ± 0.0340 mm² vs. 0.0848 ± 0.0239 mm², p = 0.007) and greater IMT (0.2223 ± 0.0468 mm vs. 0.1948 ± 0.0324 mm, p = 0.03). Further, mice with low tLoD showed higher cholesterol-levels compared to mice with higher tLoD (46.3 ± 11.5 mmol/L vs. 39.9 ± 7.8 mmol/L, p = 0.04). In the human study group, patients with plaques showed lower tLoD compared to controls (0.062 ± 0.028 mm vs. 0.142 ± 0.074 mm, p=0.003).
Vevostrain can be used to assess the longitudinal CCA movement in mice. In analogy with findings in humans, lower longitudinal CCA movement is associated with greater plaque burden in mice.
Atherosclerosis 03/2011; 217(1):120-4. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Velocity vector imaging (VVI) is novel ultrasound image analysis software, enabling simultaneous evaluation of longitudinal and radial tissue motion. This study aimed to investigate the possible usefulness of VVI in evaluating the longitudinal vessel wall movement of the common carotid artery (CCA). Sixteen healthy volunteers and 16 patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) were included in the study. CCA was scanned and standard B-mode ultrasound images were analysed off-line with VVI. In healthy volunteers, total longitudinal displacements (tLoD) of the right and left CCA were similar, as were the movements of the near- and far wall of the right CCA. The CAD group showed significantly lower tLoD compared to the healthy volunteers (0·543 ± 0·394 versus 0·112 ± 0·074, P<0·0001). VVI is a highly feasible technique in assessing longitudinal CCA wall motion, which may be of potential relevance as a novel vascular biomarker.
Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging 01/2011; 31(1):32-8. · 1.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Compared to normal weight adolescents, obese adolescents have lower serum omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations, augmented inflammatory activity and endothelial dysfunction. We wanted to assess whether n-3 supplementation increases the serum n-3 PUFA concentration, improves vascular function and morphology, and lowers inflammation in obese adolescents.
Twenty-five obese adolescents (14 females, 11 males, age 15.7±1.0 years, BMI 33.8±3.9) were randomized to receive capsules containing either 1.2g/day n-3 or placebo for 3 months. The study was performed using a double-blind, cross-over design with a 6-week washout period. Anthropometry, blood pressure measurements and fasting blood samples were obtained before and after each treatment period. The vascular structure and function was measured after each treatment period.
The serum n-3 PUFA concentration increased with n-3 treatment. The reactive hyperemia response improved with n-3 treatment compared to placebo (p<0.01). N-3 supplementation also decreased the lymphocyte, monocyte, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β levels. No difference was found in the total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL cholesterol, anthropometry, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity or vascular structure between the two treatment groups.
Daily supplementation with n-3 capsules increases the serum n-3 PUFA concentration, improves vascular function, and lowers the degree of inflammation in obese adolescents.
Atherosclerosis 10/2010; 212(2):580-5. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis begins and progresses during childhood and adolescence. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the earliest abnormalities that can be detected in the development of atherosclerosis. As the determinants of endothelial function in childhood are unknown, we investigated the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on endothelial function in a cohort of healthy adolescents.
A total of 257 adolescents (age: 14.5 + or - 1.0 years, 138 girls) participated in this study. Endothelial function was measured as reactive hyperemic index (RHI) using a fingertip peripheral arterial tonometry device. Blood samples were collected for analysis of lipids, insulin, glucose, fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids, and markers of inflammation and endothelial function.
There was no gender difference in RHI. Boys had higher plasma level of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), P-selectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and lower level of insulin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), ApoA1, ApoB, and docosahexaenoic acid of plasma phospholipids than girls. There was no gender difference regarding triacylglycerol, triacylglycerol/HDL, LDL/HDL and ApoB/ApoA. The RHI was inversely associated with plasma ICAM-1 (p=0.0003), HOMA index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, p=0.001) and saturated fatty acids of plasma phospholipids (SFA, p=0.001). The associations remained significant after adjusting for age, height, BMI-z-score, sex, blood pressure, HDL and smoking.
In healthy adolescents impaired endothelial function is significantly associated with high level of soluble ICAM-1, HOMA-IR and SFA.
Atherosclerosis 03/2010; 211(2):638-42. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although clinically relevant atherosclerosis of the upper limb arteries is rarely seen, intimal hyperplasia of the arteries may reflect global atherosclerosis and increased intima-media thickness of the brachial artery has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events and to early failure of the radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula. We speculated that patients with ESRD have thickening of both the radial intimal and medial layers compared to healthy subjects.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a novel very high frequency (55 MHz) ultrasound technique that could accurately measure the intima and media thickness of the vessel wall. No previous study has measured intima and media thickness separately in patients with end-stage renal disease and hence, the aim of the current study was to investigate the radial arterial wall layers in patients with chronic renal failure.
Thirty-one patients with end-stage renal disease and 41 healthy subjects underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy of the radial arteries. Blood pressures did not differ except for pulse pressures which were elevated among patients with end-stage renal disease (p<0.01). Patients with end-stage renal disease showed 39% thicker intima and 18% greater media in the radial artery compared to healthy subjects (0.117+/-0.031 mm versus 0.084+/-0.02 mm for the IT, p<0.01 and 0.205+/-0.062 mm versus 0.174+/-0.044 mm for the MT; p<0.05).
Both the intima and the media layers of the radial arteries are increased in patients with end-stage renal disease. Whether measurements of the radial arterial intima thickness may convey valuable information on the risk of future cardiovascular events and early arteriovenous fistula failure in end-stage renal disease remain to be elucidated in future studies.
Atherosclerosis 02/2010; 211(1):159-63. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Evidence from animal studies indicates the importance of an interaction between the sympathetic nervous system and the endothelium for cardiovascular regulation. However the interaction between these two systems remains largely unexplored in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate whether directly recorded sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy individuals.
In 10 healthy normotensive subjects (3 f/7 m), (age 37+/-11 yrs), (BMI 24+/-3 kg/m(2)) direct recordings of sympathetic action potentials to the muscle vascular bed (MSNA) were performed and endothelial function estimated with the Reactive Hyperaemia- Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (RH-PAT) technique. Blood samples were taken and time spent on leisure-time physical activities was estimated. In all subjects the rate between resting flow and the maximum flow, the Reactive Hyperemic index (RH-PAT index), was within the normal range (1.9-3.3) and MSNA was as expected for age and gender (13-44 burst/minute). RH-PAT index was inversely related to MSNA (r = -0.8, p = 0.005). RH-PAT index and MSNA were reciprocally related to time (h/week) spent on physical activity (p = 0.005 and p = 0.006 respectively) and platelet concentration (PLT) (p = 0.02 and p = 0.004 respectively).
Our results show that sympathetic nerve activity is related to a surrogate marker of endothelial function in healthy normotensive individuals, indicating that sympathetic outflow may be modulated by changes in endothelial function. In this study time spent on physical activity is identified as a predictor of sympathetic nerve activity and endothelial function in a group of healthy individuals. The results are of importance in understanding mechanisms underlying sympathetic activation in conditions associated with endothelial dysfunction and emphasise the importance of a daily exercise routine for maintenance of cardiovascular health.
PLoS ONE 01/2010; 5(2):e9257. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Psychosocial adversity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. The authors assessed associations of reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT), a measure of endothelial function predictive of CVD, with self-assessed psychological health among school children.
A total of 248 healthy school children (mean (SD) age 14.0 (1.0); 136 girls and 112 boys) underwent RH-PAT testing. They completed the Beck Youth Inventories (BYI) of emotional and social impairment scales, which is used to screen for depression, anxiety, anger and disruptive behaviour.
No sex differences were observed for the RH-PAT score. Statistically significant differences were observed for the BYI scores; girls had higher scores for depression, anger and anxiety. Among the girls, there were statistically significant associations between lower RH-PAT scores and higher scores for anger (B coefficient=-0.100, p=0.040), depression (-0.108, p=0.009) and anxiety (-0.138, p=0.039) after adjustment for age. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with higher RH-PAT scores (0.09, p=0.006).
The girls have higher levels of self-assessed anger; depression and anxiety compared with the boys, and these characteristics are associated with lower RH-PAT scores, indicating attenuated endothelial function. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with better endothelial function. Although psychological ill-health is associated with impaired endothelial function and CVD among adults, such processes may also be relevant to children. Psychosocial adversity in childhood might be a risk factor for subsequent CVD.
Archives of Disease in Childhood 10/2009; 96(1):38-43. · 2.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have used a novel ultra high-frequency (55MHz) ultrasound technique to non-invasively measure the radial arterial vessel wall and separate the intima-media (IMT) complex into measurements of intima and media thickness (IT and MT). Since no previous study has measured IT and MT separately in individuals with prehypertension and hypertension, the aim of the current study was to measure IT and MT thickness of the radial arteries among individuals with prehypertension, hypertension and healthy subjects.
Individuals with prehypertension (n=32), hypertension (n=34) and healthy subjects (n=29) underwent ultra high-resolution ultrasound of the radial artery. Individuals with prehypertension showed a 14% increase in IT compared to healthy subjects (0.083+/-0.020mm versus 0.073+/-0.015mm; p<0.05), whereas no difference was seen in MT. Individuals with hypertension showed a 12% increase of in IT compared to healthy subjects (0.082+/-0.018mm versus 0.073+/-0.015mm, p<0.05), whereas no differences were seen regarding MT. Prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals did not differ regarding IT and MT.
Both prehypertension and hypertension are associated with thickening of the intimal layer of the radial artery. The present data indicates that intima thickening appears early during the development of hypertension even when blood pressure is only slightly elevated.
Atherosclerosis 09/2009; 209(1):147-51. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ultrabiomicroscopy is a novel high-frequency (55 MHz) ultrasound technique that could be used to non-invasively measure the vessel wall and separate the intima-media complex into measurements of intima and media thickness. Since no previous study has measured intima and media thickness separately in vivo in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), the aim of the current study was to measure intima and intima-media thickness of the radial and the anterior tibial arteries among patients with CHD and healthy subjects (HS). Thirty-two patients with CHD and 46 HS underwent investigations with ultrabiomicroscopy measurements of the radial and anterior tibial arteries. Patients with CHD showed a 19% increase in intima thickness of the radial artery compared with HS (0.088 +/- 0.024 mm versus 0.074 +/- 0.015 mm; p < 0.015), whereas no difference was seen in media thickness. There were no differences in intima or media thickness within the anterior tibial arteries. In conclusion, CHD is associated with thickening of the intima of the radial artery whereas media thickness was unchanged compared with HS. Assessment of intima thickness by high-frequency ultrasound may provide a tool for non-invasive early detection of atherosclerosis.
Vascular Medicine 09/2009; 15(1):33-7. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Previous studies have shown that exposure to chronic hypoxia protects against myocardial infarction, but little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Here we observed that chronic hypoxia for 3 wk resulted in improved survival of mice (from 64% to 83%), reduced infarction size (from 45 +/- 4% to 32 +/- 4%, P < 0.05), increased cardiac ejection fraction (from 19 +/- 4% to 35 +/- 5%, P < 0.05), coronary flow velocity under adenosine-induced hyperemia (from 58 +/- 2 to 75 +/- 5 cm/s, P < 0.05), myocardial capillary density (from 3,772 +/- 162 to 4,760 +/- 197 capillaries/mm(2), P < 0.01), and arteriolar density (from 8.04 +/- 0.76 to 10.34 +/- 0.69 arterioles/mm(2), P < 0.05) 3 wk after myocardial infarction. With two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we identified that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was highly upregulated in hypoxic myocardial capillary endothelial cells. The loss of PDI function in endothelial cells by small interfering RNA significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells (by 3.4-fold at hypoxia, P < 0.01) and reduced migration (by 52% at hypoxia, P < 0.001) and adhesion to collagen I (by 42% at hypoxia, P < 0.01). In addition, the specific inhibition of PDI by PDI small interfering RNA (by 46%, P < 0.01) and bacitracin (by 72%, P < 0.001) reduced the formation of tubular structures by endothelial cells. Our data indicate that chronic hypoxic exposure improves coronary blood flow and protects the myocardium against infarction. These beneficial effects may be partly explained by the increased endothelial expression of PDI, which protects cells against apoptosis and increases cellular migration, adhesion, and tubular formation. The increased PDI expression in endothelial cells may be a novel mechanism to protect the myocardium against myocardial ischemic diseases.
AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology 08/2009; 297(3):H1078-86. · 3.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Social support and a stimulating environment have been suggested to reduce stress reactions and cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the role of environmental enrichment and social interaction for development of atherosclerosis in atherosclerosis prone mice. Male ApoE− / − mice were divided into four groups and followed during 20 weeks: (i) enriched environment (E, n = 12), (ii) deprived environment (ED, n = 12), (iii) enriched environment with exercise (E-Ex, n = 12) and (iv) socially deprived by individual housing (SD, n = 10). Plasma lipid and cytokine concentrations were measured. Atherosclerosis was quantified in cross-sections of innominate artery and en face in thoracic aorta. Plaque area was significantly increased in SD mice in the innominate artery (P < 0.05 vs. all other groups), but not in the thoracic aorta. Plasma lipids were increased in SD mice (P < 0.001 vs. all for total cholesterol, P < 0.05 vs. E and P < 0.01 vs. ED for triglycerides). Plasma concentration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was decreased in SD mice compared to E mice (P < 0.05). Thus, social isolation increased atherosclerosis and plasma lipids in ApoE− / − mice. Reduction in plasma G-CSF levels may hamper endothelial regeneration in the atherosclerotic process. While environmental enrichment did not affect atherosclerosis, social isolation accelerated atherosclerosis.
07/2009; 11(5):381-389.
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ABSTRACT: High-salt diet likely elevates blood pressure (BP), thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that a high-salt diet plays a critical role in subjects whose renin-angiotensin systems cannot adjust to variable salt intake, rendering them more susceptible to atherosclerosis.
Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice received standard or high-salt diet (8%) alone or in combination with fixed angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (0.5 microg/kg per min). BP was measured using telemetry, and plaque burden was assessed in the thoracic aorta and innominate artery. We used urinary isoprostane as a marker for oxidative stress.
Although high-salt diet per se did not affect plaque extension, high salt combined with Ang II increased plaque area significantly in both the aorta and the innominate artery as compared with Ang II or salt alone (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). High-salt diet did not affect BP or isoprostane levels, whereas Ang II infusion increased both BP and isoprostane levels (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Although high-salt diet combined with Ang II did not amplify BP, salt in combination with Ang II increased isoprostane levels further (P < 0.001 vs. Ang II alone). Ang II increases macrophage content in lesions (P < 0.05), whereas salt likely increases collagen content.
High-salt diet per se does not influence BP in ApoE-/- mice and is only moderately atherogenic. Possibly mediated via increased oxidative stress, a high-salt diet combined with fixed high Ang II levels accelerates atherogenesis synergistically, beyond the effect of BP.
Journal of Hypertension 01/2009; 27(1):41-7. · 4.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of rosuvastatin on plaque progression and in vivo coronary artery function in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice, using noninvasive high-resolution ultrasound techniques. Eight-week-old male ApoE-KO mice (n = 20) were fed a high-fat diet with or without rosuvastatin (10 micromol.kg(-1).day(-1)) for 16 wk. When compared with control, rosuvastatin reduced total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) and caused significant retardation of lesion progression in the brachiocephalic artery, as visualized in vivo using an ultrasound biomicroscope (P < 0.05). Histological analysis confirmed the reduction of brachiocephalic atherosclerosis and also revealed an increase in collagen content in the statin-treated group (P < 0.05). Coronary volumetric flow was measured by simultaneous recording of Doppler velocity signals and left coronary artery morphology before and during adenosine infusion. The hyperemic flow in response to adenosine was significantly greater in left coronary artery following 16 wk of rosuvastatin treatment (P < 0.001), whereas the baseline flow was similar in both groups. In conclusion, rosuvastatin reduced brachiocephalic artery atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE-KO mice. Coronary artery function assessed using recently developed in vivo ultrasound-based protocols, also improved.
AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology 10/2008; 295(5):H2046-53. · 3.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (LVEF) are assessed using ECG-gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) and echocardiography. We have developed CAFU, a new automated method for the quantification of MPS images. AutoEF software is a new automated method for quantifying echocardiograms (Tomtec research arena). The aim of the study was to compare these new methods with standard methods.
Patients undergoing clinical MPS were invited to an echocardiographic examination. Eighty-eight patients were included, mean age 64+/-10 years, 50% men. LV volumes and LVEF from the echocardiographic examinations were calculated using the AutoEF software and calculations according to Simpson's rule. The LV volumes and LVEF from the MPS images were calculated using CAFU, Quantitative gated-SPECT (QGS) and Emory Cardiac Toolbox (ECT).
The MPS methods revealed larger LV volumes and LVEF compared with the echocardiographic methods. CAFU showed an excellent correlation with QGS and ECT (0.91-0.99). The correlations between the MPS and the echocardiographic methods (0.47-0.88), as well as between the AutoEF-assessed values and Simpson's method (0.57-0.87), were lower, however statistically significant. The correlations between the methods were higher for LV volumes than for LVEF.
There was better agreement between LV volumes and LVEF values from the three MPS methods than between those from the two echocardiographic methods. The echocardiographic methods produced significantly lower LV volumes and LVEF compared with the MPS methods. In the clinical situation, LV volumes and LVEF values from different types of examination or different software packages should be treated with caution.
International journal of cardiology 09/2008; 136(2):171-7. · 7.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Males have higher coronary heart disease (CHD) lifetime risk and increased magnitude of atherosclerosis, compared with women. Using very high-resolution ultrasound, we have shown that the intima thickness (IT) of radial and dorsal pedal arteries, measured separately from the media thickness (MT), increases with age. We wanted to test whether there is already a difference between the sexes in childhood for IT, MT and intima media thickness (IMT) in the radial and dorsal pedal arteries.
A total of 252 children (age 14.5 years S.D.+/-1.0girls/boys 139/113) from two schools in Gothenburg, Sweden, participated in the study. The high-resolution (55MHz) ultrasound measurements showed that boys had larger values than girls for the radial IT (0.057+/-0.010mm vs. 0.054+/-0.008mm, P=0.007), MT (0.176+/-0.033 vs. 0.153+/-0.025, P=0.031), IMT (0.232+/-0.035 vs. 0.207+/-0.026, P=0.000), and for dorsal pedal artery MT (0.160+/-0.039 vs. 0.149+/-0.034, P=0.022) and IMT (0.222+/-0.041 vs. 0.209+/-0.037, P=0.016).
With this new very high-resolution ultrasound technique, we demonstrated in a large study population of children, that both intimal and medial arterial wall layers were thicker in boys than in girls. These findings may constitute an "early background" explaining why CHD starts sooner in men compared with women.
Atherosclerosis 07/2008; 203(1):172-7. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Social support and a stimulating environment have been suggested to reduce stress reactions and cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the role of environmental enrichment and social interaction for development of atherosclerosis in atherosclerosis prone mice. Male ApoE-/- mice were divided into four groups and followed during 20 weeks: (i) enriched environment (E, n=12), (ii) deprived environment (ED, n=12), (iii) enriched environment with exercise (E-Ex, n=12) and (iv) socially deprived by individual housing (SD, n=10). Plasma lipid and cytokine concentrations were measured. Atherosclerosis was quantified in cross-sections of innominate artery and en face in thoracic aorta. Plaque area was significantly increased in SD mice in the innominate artery (P<0.05 vs. all other groups), but not in the thoracic aorta. Plasma lipids were increased in SD mice (P<0.001 vs. all for total cholesterol, P<0.05 vs. E and P<0.01 vs. ED for triglycerides). Plasma concentration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was decreased in SD mice compared to E mice (P<0.05). Thus, social isolation increased atherosclerosis and plasma lipids in ApoE-/- mice. Reduction in plasma G-CSF levels may hamper endothelial regeneration in the atherosclerotic process. While environmental enrichment did not affect atherosclerosis, social isolation accelerated atherosclerosis.
Stress (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 07/2008; 11(5):381-9. · 3.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: For an accurate estimate of volumetric coronary flow reserve (CFR) using Doppler-assessed flow velocity measurement, it is important to take into consideration potential diameter change during coronary hyperemia. Using ultrasound techniques, left coronary artery (LCA) flow velocity and LCA lumen diameter (LCA(D)) were measured simultaneously for the first time to measure coronary flow during baseline and adenosine-induced hyperemic condition in isoflurane-anesthetized C57BL/6 (n = 38) and in old apolipoprotein E-gene deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice (n = 44) mice. LCA(D) increased significantly and to a similar extent during adenosine infusion in both groups (3.7 +/- 1.1 %, p < 0.003 for C57BL/6; 4.2 +/- 0.9 %, p < 0.00003 for ApoE(-/-)). Yet, a positive correlation was still found between velocity-based coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) and volumetric CFR in both strains (R(2) = 0.77, p < 0.001 for C57BL/6; R(2) = 0.80, p < 0.001 for ApoE(-/-)). Coronary reserve was higher in C57BL/6 mice than in ApoE(-/-) mice (CFR 1.93 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.07, p < 0.05; CFVR 1.73 +/- 0.13 vs. 1.28 +/- 0.07, p < 0.01). Thus, ultrasound techniques can be used to measure volumetric flow in the LCA and flow-based CFR measurements of intact, living mice. The positive correlation between CFR and CFVR, together with the lower method variability of the latter, makes CFVR a more robust protocol for assessing mouse in-vivo coronary artery function. Therefore, the CFVR protocol will probably work well in most settings.
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology 07/2008; 34(7):1053-62. · 2.29 Impact Factor
