Atherosclerosis is characterized by a low-grade systemic inflammatory response and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate a possible relationship between systemic markers of inflammation, serum markers of endothelial activation and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in a group of high-risk patients, and to evaluate the effects of intervention with high doses of simvastatin on these parameters. In patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, without atherosclerotic events, flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured after a wash-out period for lipid-lowering drugs (baseline) and after 6 weeks of treatment with simvastatin 80 mg daily. Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular cell-adhesion molecule (s-ICAM) and soluble E-selectin (s-E-selectin) were determined at baseline and again after 6 weeks and 12 months of therapy. A total of 35 subjects participated in the study (mean age 42 years; 60% male). When divided into tertiles according to FMD (<3.9%, 3.9–9.0% and >9.0%), no differences in levels of CRP, s-ICAM-1 and/or s-E-selectin were detected between the groups. Moreover, no changes in FMD, levels of CRP or levels of s-ICAM-1 and/or s-E-selectin were found during treatment with simvastatin. We conclude that endothelial function, as reflected by FMD, does not seem to be related to markers of inflammation in familial hypercholesterolaemia subjects at high risk of, but without clinically overt signs of, atherosclerosis. Moreover, aggressive lipid-lowering therapy with simvastatin does not result in improved endothelial function or in a reduction of markers of inflammation in these patients.
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Research Article|
June 01 2003
Correlates of endothelial function and their relationship with inflammation in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia
Paul L. van HAELST;
*Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
Correspondence: Dr P L. van Haelst (e-mail [email protected]).
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Jasper J. van DOORMAAL;
Jasper J. van DOORMAAL
†Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Folkert W. ASSELBERGS;
Folkert W. ASSELBERGS
*Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Arie M. van ROON;
Arie M. van ROON
†Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Nic J. G. M. VEEGER;
Nic J. G. M. VEEGER
*Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Maureen M. HENNEMAN;
Maureen M. HENNEMAN
*Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Andries J. SMIT;
Andries J. SMIT
†Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Jan Willem COHEN TERVAERT;
Jan Willem COHEN TERVAERT
†Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Johan F. MAY;
Johan F. MAY
*Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Rijk O. B. GANS
Rijk O. B. GANS
†Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
October 21 2002
Revision Received:
January 14 2003
Accepted:
January 30 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
January 30 2003
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© 2003 The Biochemical Society
2003
Clin Sci (Lond) (2003) 104 (6): 627–632.
Article history
Received:
October 21 2002
Revision Received:
January 14 2003
Accepted:
January 30 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
January 30 2003
Citation
Paul L. van HAELST, Jasper J. van DOORMAAL, Folkert W. ASSELBERGS, Arie M. van ROON, Nic J. G. M. VEEGER, Maureen M. HENNEMAN, Andries J. SMIT, Jan Willem COHEN TERVAERT, Johan F. MAY, Rijk O. B. GANS; Correlates of endothelial function and their relationship with inflammation in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 June 2003; 104 (6): 627–632. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20020293
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