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DO TRIGLYCERIDES HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION DETECTED BY LASER DOPPLER FLOWMETRY?
Abstract
Background and Aims
The emerging data show that lower triglyceride levels are associated with better vascular function. However, the exact cut-off value for triglycerides remains undefined. We aimed to find out whether better endothelial function is associated with lower plasma triglyceride levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome in Lithuanians.
Methods
3081 patients (1865 women and 1216 men, mean age 53±6 years) with metabolic syndrome were enrolled in the study, which was conducted during the period of 2010–2014 at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. Microvascular endothelial function was evaluated using the Laser Doppler flowmetry in combination with the post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia test. The percentage change of flow from peak to the rest flow (PF-RF) was calculated and used as the main measure of endothelial function.
Results
The study showed that higher PF-RF score was significantly associated with decreased triglyceride levels (p=0.002), female sex (p<0.001) and the absence of diabetes (p=0.004). There was a weak but statistically significant negative correlation between triglycerides and PF-RF both in all subjects and separately in women and in men (r=-0.08, p<0.001; r=-0.06, p=0.01; r=-0.08, p=0.01, respectively). Correspondingly, subjects with triglyceride levels <1.7 mmol/l and <1.3 mmol/l had higher PF-RF score as compared to patients with triglyceride levels ≥1.7 mmol/l and ≥1.3 mmol/l (n=1215; 377±289 vs n=1781; 341±260; p<0.001 and n=606; 389±285 vs n=2390; 347±269; p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusions
Subjects with metabolic syndrome who have lower plasma triglyceride levels have better endothelial function. Next step of this work is to show if this observation is independently related to lower cardiovascular risk in the future.