Effects of obesity on endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation function

Objective:To study the endothelium-dependent vasodilation function in patients with obesity.Methods:Forty patients with obesity and thirty eight age-matched normal controls were studied.Brachial diameter was measured with high-resolution ultrasound at rest,during reactive hyperemia and after sublingual nitroglycerin.Results:The increased percentage of brachial artery diameter at hyperemic condition was lower in patients comparing with those normal controls (10.14±6.23)% vs (18.96±6.92)%,P0.001,whereas nitroglycerin-induced changes were not significant difference (17.96±6.91)% vs (19.01±5.81)%,P0.05;The brachial endothelial function correlated negatively with BMI (r=-0.61,P0.01).Conclusion:Endothelium-dependent vasodilation function was impaired in patients with obesity.