endothelin-1 and Vitamin-D-Deficiency

Recent research has shown that hypovitaminosis D may increase the risk of hypertension, vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Endothelial Dysfunction (ED) is one of the key components of MetS which is associated with an imbalance between vasoactive substances such as Nitric Oxide (NO) and Endothelins (ET). In this study, we assessed the association of 25(OH) D3 level with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in MetS patients.. 105 MetS patients and 48 controls were included. 25(OH) D3 levels were measured using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC). NOx (NO2 plus NO3) and Endothelin- 1(ET-1) concentrations were determined along with routine biochemical tests. Flow-Mediated Dilatation (FMD) and carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT) were measured by ultrasonography.. In MetS patients, vitamin D and NOx levels were significantly lower (p<0.001), while ET-1 levels were higher than controls (p<0.005). MetS patients with ED exhibited significantly lower vitamin D levels than their counterparts free of ED. Vitamin D levels were correlated positively with FMD and NOx, and negatively with systolic blood pressure and body mass index. Subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by the cIMT did not associate with low vitamin D levels.. Vitamin D deficiency seen in MetS patients is more prominent in the presence of ED. Hypovitaminosis D may affect endothelial cells, and participate in the development of hypertension.

Topics: Adult; Asymptomatic Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Calcifediol; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Case-Control Studies; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Endothelin-1; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Nitrates; Nitrites; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Vasodilation; Vitamin D Deficiency

Millions of Mexico, US and across the world children are overweight and obese. Exposure to fossil-fuel combustion sources increases the risk for obesity and diabetes, while long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) above US EPA standards is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mexico City Metropolitan Area children are chronically exposed to PM2.5 and O3 concentrations above the standards and exhibit systemic, brain and intrathecal inflammation, cognitive deficits, and Alzheimer disease neuropathology. We investigated adipokines, food reward hormones, endothelial dysfunction, vitamin D and apolipoprotein E (APOE) relationships in 80 healthy, normal weight 11.1±3.2 year olds matched by age, gender, BMI and SES, low (n: 26) versus high (n:54) PM2.5 exposures. Mexico City children had higher leptin and endothelin-1 (p<0.01 and p<0.000), and decreases in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP 1), ghrelin, and glucagon (<0.02) versus controls. BMI and leptin relationships were significantly different in low versus high PM2.5 exposed children. Mexico City APOE 4 versus 3 children had higher glucose (p=0.009). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<30 ng/mL was documented in 87% of Mexico City children. Leptin is strongly positively associated to PM 2.5 cumulative exposures. Residing in a high PM2.5 and O3 environment is associated with 12h fasting hyperleptinemia, altered appetite-regulating peptides, vitamin D deficiency, and increases in ET-1 in clinically healthy children. These changes could signal the future trajectory of urban children towards the development of insulin resistance, obesity, type II diabetes, premature cardiovascular disease, addiction-like behavior, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Increased efforts should be made to decrease pediatric PM2.5 exposures, to deliver health interventions prior to the development of obesity and to identify and mitigate environmental factors influencing obesity and Alzheimer disease.

Topics: Adolescent; Alzheimer Disease; Body Weight; Case-Control Studies; Child; Cohort Studies; Endothelin-1; Hormones; Humans; Leptin; Mexico; Obesity; Particulate Matter; Vitamin D Deficiency

There are few studies indicating a relationship between vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and parameters of endothelial function.. The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between vascular endothelial function and the level of vitamin D and PTH in women with arterial hypertension (AH).. It was a cross-sectional study of 141 women with AH stage II aged 50.8 ±6.0 years. We determined the serum levels of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), PTH, endothelin 1, as well as nitrites and nitrates. Endothelial function was measured by impedance rheography. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was measured by a reactive hyperemia test. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation of less than 12% was considered as endothelial dysfunction (ED).. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 53 women (37.6%); insufficiency, in 42 (30.1%); and the optimal level, in 46 (32.3%). ED was determined in 49.6% of the patients. The serum PTH level was 36.6 ±20.1 pg/ml, and it was above the upper limit of the reference range only in 5.5% of the cases. We showed significant correlations between PTH and systolic blood pressure (R = 0.28; P = 0.003), PTH and 25(OH)D (R = -0.27; P = 0.025), and 25(OH)D and SBP (R = -0.23; P = 0.034). In the group with ED, the serum level of endothelin 1 was higher compared with the group without ED (0.57 ±0.18 vs. 0.49 ±0.21 pg/ml; P = 0.032) and that of nitrates and nitrites was lower compared with the group without ED (15.2 [11.1-29.9] vs. 22.8 [16.9-33.0] μmol/l; P = 0.0005). In the group without ED, PTH inversely correlated with endothelin 1 (R = -0.27; P = 0.043). In the group with ED, PTH inversely correlated with nitrates and nitrites (R = -0.48; P = 0.003).. In women with AH and without ED, PTH affected the production of a vasoconstrictor, endothelin 1, while in those with ED, PTH was associated with a lower production of vasodilators, nitrates and nitrites, by the vascular endothelium.

Topics: Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endothelin-1; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Middle Aged; Parathyroid Hormone; Risk Factors; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency