Flow Mediated Vasodilation and Some Biomarkers of Endothelial Activation in Pre-Hypertensive Objects.

Pre-hypertension is a precursor of hypertension. Endothelial dysfunction is the key element for early prediction of cardiovascular events. We investigated whether flow mediated dilation, a non-invasive method for assessment of endothelial function, is decreased and if there is a parallel with some biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction. 103 patients with pre-hypertension at the age 43. 5 ± 6 years, were enrolled. Weight, body surface area, waist, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma glucose were followed up for each patient, indicating statistically higher values in the pre-hypertensive subjects. Flow mediated dilation was reduced when compared to our control data from healthy volunteers. It was in parallel with ADMA and sVCAM -1. There were no significant differences in sICAM-1. Pre-hypertension objects demonstrated reduced flow mediated dilation and significantly changed ADMA and sVCAM-1. Intima-media thickness did not show any significant differences between pre-hypertensive and healthy objects. In conclusion, there is a correlation between clinical chemical biomarkers, flow mediated dilation, endothelial dysfunction and pre-hypertension, which confirms their role as a predictor of pre-hypertention and cardiovascular disorders and as a challenge for primary prevention.