B009: Humeral artery remodeling and nitric oxide release in early stages of familial hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia is reported to be associated with an increased oxidative inactivation of nitric oxide (NO) and a reduced endothelium dependent vasodilation. However, experimental studies suggest an increased release of NO in early stages of hypercholesterolemia possibly related to endothelial activation and enhanced activity of inducible NO synthetase. Aim of the study was to assess systemic NO generation and endothelial dependent and independent vasodilation in young subjects with early diagnosed familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC) and without cardiovascular disease. Patients and Methods: brachial artery diameter was measured by high-resolution ultrasound at rest, during reactive hyperemia following 5 min forearm ischemia (endothelium-dependent vasodilation) and after sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN 400 μg; endothelium-independent dilatation) in 12 subjects (age 28±2 years, mean±DS) with familial hypercholesterolemia (271 mg/dl ± 21.9) and 12 healthy controls (26±3 years, mean ± DS). Plasma concentration of nitrates and nitrites (Nox markers of No release) were measured by a colorimetric assay based on Griess reaction. Plasma Nox were significantly higher in FHC than in controls (87.11±10.07 vs 35.28±25.8 mmol; p