Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 507–8
In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) endothelial function is impaired and correlates with morbidity and mortality. We examined the effect of an intensive lifestyle modification programme over 1 year on endothelial function in CAD patients.
We investigated the effects of acetylcholine (Ach, 10–9–10–7 mol) induced vasodilatation as well as the effects of NO-synthase inhibitor l-NMMA (10–8 mol) vasoconstriction in the forearm skin microcirculation of 17 CAD patients and 12 healthy volunteers, using the double injection technique and laser Doppler imaging. The results are expressed in perfusion units (PU) as differences from saline in mean ± SEM; the area under the time–response curve was calculated (AUC). Measurements were performed at baseline and after 1 year of intensive lifestyle modification.
Vasodilatation to ACh (10–9–l0–7 mol) was significantly reduced in CAD patients compared with healthy volunteers (P < 0.001). After 1 year of intensive lifestyle modification CAD patients showed a significant improvement of vasodilatation to ACh (P < 0.001 versus baseline). The L-NMMA (10–8 mol) induced vasoconstriction was significantly reduced after one year of intensive lifestyle modification (P < 0.05 versus baseline).
Comprehensive and intensive 1-year lifestyle modification improves endothelial function in CAD patients. Laser Doppler imaging is a new method to assess the effects of cardiovascular intervention on endothelial function.
