Sexual dimorphism in relationships between flow-mediated vasodilation and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors

Background and aim. Endothelial dysfunction appears early in the development of cardiovascular and kidney disease as well as diabetes mellitus. Data on the relationships between endothelium status and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors as well as their sexual dimorphism are conflicting, which prompted us to conduct our own study. Material and methods. The object of clinical observation was volunteers: 12 women (42-64 y) and 12 men (42-59 y) without clinical diagnosis. Endothelium status assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). In addition, determined metabolic parameters in serum: triglycerides, total cholesterol (Ch), HDLP-Ch, LDLP-Ch as well as uric acid. Results. In women, the average FMD level was 15% higher than in men, but the difference was not significant. A very strong positive correlation was found between FMD and HDLP-Ch (0,988 vs 0,873) while negative correlation between FMD and triglycerides (-0,687 vs -0,907), LDLP-Ch (-0,978 vs -0,898) and Body Mass Index (-0,916 vs -0,892), but not uricemia (-0,386 vs -0,302) at women and men, respectively. Conclusion. Serum lipid profile, but not uricemia, can be used to quantify endothelial status.