Df. Mcauley et al., Vasoconstriction to endothelin-1 is blunted in non-insulin-dependent diabetes: A dose-response study, J CARDIO PH, 36(2), 2000, pp. 203-208
Citations number
41
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
The haemodynamic hypothesis for the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopath
y argues that an initial increase in microvascular blood flow leads to micr
ovascular sclerosis and disturbed autoregulation. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an
endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide that contributes to basal vasc
ular tone. Impairment of the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 could result
in hyperperfusion anti subsequent microvascular damage. The purpose of this
study was to determine whether vascular responses to ET-1 are impaired in
patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes). Te
n patients with type 2 diabetes and nine control subjects underwent brachia
l artery cannulation. Forearm blood flow was measured using strain-gauge ve
nous occlusion plethysmography. ET-1 in three doses of 5, 10, and 20 pmol/m
in and 0.9% saline placebo was infused in a balanced double-blind randomise
d manner. Vascular smooth muscle function also was assessed using sodium ni
troprusside. Control subjects showed vasoconstriction to ET-1 of 5 (p < 0.0
5), 10 (p < 0.05), and 20 pmol/min (p < 0.01). In the diabetic group, there
was no significant response to ET-1 at 5 pmol/min (p > 0.05), however, sig
nificant vasoconstriction developed at 10 and 20 pmol/min (p < 0.01). There
was a significant difference in response to ET-1 at 5 pmol/min between the
diabetic and control groups (p < 0.05). Responses to sodium nitroprusside
were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Patients with type 2 diabetes have
a blunted vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 despite preserved vascular smoot
h muscle function.