Endothelial dysfunction in the early stage of atherosclerosis precedes appearance of intimal lesions assessable with intravascular ultrasound

摘要: Abstract The objective of this study was to clarify whether morphologic evaluation the in vivo artery with intravascular ultrasound provides as sensitive a marker endothelial dysfunction or microscopic histologic assessment. Endothelial assessed changes vessel diameter during acetylcholine infusion has been used more atherosclerosis than angiographic estimates structure vessel. Recent advent provided such high-resolution images vessels that are sensitively and accurately detected. Twenty-two rabbits were divided into three groups: six fed cholesterol-rich diet for 2 weeks hypercholesterolemia group, eight 8 normal group. After evaluating atherosclerotic lesions by ultrasound, cross-sectional area measured baseline (0.05, 0.5, 5 μg/kg/min) nitroglycerin (5 μg/kg/min). No detectable any rabbit despite presence intimal increased groups. In contrast, did not significantly increase at rate 0.5 μg/kg/min even tended decrease (−3.8% ± 3.7%, P