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Effect of orthostasis on endothelial function (695.7)
Author(s) -
Anyaehie Ugochukwu,
Goswami Nandu,
HinghoferSzalkay Helmut
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.695.7
Subject(s) - luteal phase , menstrual cycle , follicular phase , medicine , endocrinology , menstruation , hormone , menopause
Vascular endothelium has multiple functions and may play a role in the pathophysiology of orthostatic intolerance. We investigated the effect of orthostasis on endothelial function using EndoPAT, a non‐invasive and user‐independent method, and across gender. As sex steroid hormones are known to affect endothelial function, this study examined the potential effect of these hormones on the endothelial response to orthostasis by including females at different phases of the menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal) and females taking an oral contraceptive. A total of 31 subjects took part in this study (11 males, 11 females having normal menstrual cycles and 9 females taking oral contraceptive). Each subject made two visits for testing; in the case of females having normal menstrual cycles the first session was conducted either 1‐7 (follicular) or 14‐21 days (luteal) after the start of menstruation, and the second session two weeks later, i.e., during the other phase, respectively. Endothelial function was assessed at baseline and following a 20‐min orthostatic challenge (active standing). The EndoPAT index increased from 1.71 ± 0.09 (mean ± SEM) at baseline to 2.07 ± 0.09 following orthostasis in females (p<0.001). In males, the index increased from 1.60 ± 0.08 to 1.94 ± 0.13 following orthostasis (p<0.001). There were no significant differences, however, in the endothelial response to orthostasis between females and males, menstrual cycle phases and the usage of oral contraceptive. Results suggest that orthostasis can induce increase in vasodilatatory endothelial response in both females and males. Further studies are needed to determine the potential role of this post orthostasis endothelial response in the pathophysiology of orthostatic intolerance.