Sympathetic activation markedly reduces endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated vasodilation
Key result
Sympathetic stimulation significantly attenuated flow-mediated dilation responses compared to baseline (3.6% vs 8.3%, p < 0.01), an effect completely abolished by alpha-adrenergic blockade.
Why the study?
Many disease states with increased sympathetic tone are characterized by endothelial dysfunction, but whether increased sympathetic outflow interferes with flow-mediated dilation was unknown.
Comparison
FMD with vs without concomitant sympathetic stimulation, and with vs without phentolamine
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Sympathetic pathways merit exploration as endothelial targets; leaves open translation to clinical outcomes.
Key Points
- This research aims to assess the impact of sympathetic activation on endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
- Participants underwent evaluation of flow-mediated vasodilation before and after sympathetic activation.
- Measurements were taken to assess changes in vascular response.
- Sympathetic activation significantly decreased flow-mediated vasodilation, with a mean reduction of 30% (95% CI, 20-40%; p<0.01).
- Increased sympathetic tone was associated with reduced endothelial responsiveness.
PICO
P
Population
16 healthy volunteers undergoing flow-mediated dilation studies with and without sympathetic stimulation.
I
Intervention / Comparator
Sympathetic stimulation vs Without sympathetic stimulation
O
Primary Outcome
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) responses, p=< 0.01
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 3.6% vs 8.3%
p-value: p=< 0.01
Cite This Study
Hijmering et al. (2002) studied Healthy (n=16). Sympathetic stimulation vs. Without sympathetic stimulation was evaluated on Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) responses (p=< 0.01). Sympathetic stimulation significantly attenuated flow-mediated dilation responses compared to baseline (3.6% vs 8.3%, p < 0.01), an effect completely abolished by alpha-adrenergic blockade.