Effect of Hypercholesterolemia and Age on Endothelial Function in Women

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is known that both hypercholesterolemia and aging cause endothelial dysfunction, but which has the greater effect is less well known. A useful, non-invasive method for the evaluation of endothelial function is flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (BA) employing high-resolution ultrasound. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of serum cholesterol and age on endothelial function in women utilising the above method. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 21 of the 37 women in this study (mean age 46+/-15 years, range 24-72), had hypercholesterolemia (>or=200 mg/dL) and 16 had normocholesterolemia (or=50 years (r=-0.54, p<0.05). Serum cholesterol levels were not significantly related to the EID, regardless of age. In contrast, age was not related to EDD or EID in either normocholesterolemic or hypercholesterolemic subjects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest hypercholesterolemia has a greater effect than age in impairing the endothelial function in women.