C-reactive protein and e-selectin levels are related to vasodilation in resistance, but not conductance arteries in the elderly: The prospective investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study

Background Divergent results have emerged in the past when relating single markers of inflammation to measures of vascular reactivity. The aim of the present study is to relate a wide range of inflammatory markers to vasoreactivity in both resistance and conductance arteries. Methods In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (the PIVUS study), endothelium-dependent vasodilation was evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine given in the brachial artery (EDV), the brachial artery ultrasound technique with measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and the pulse wave analysis method with beta-2 receptor agonist (terbutaline) provocation in 1016 subjects aged 70. A panel of 14 inflammatory markers, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, CRP, sCD40 ligand and leukocyte count, was measured. Results After adjustment for gender and coronary risk factors, EDV was independently related to CRP levels and e-selectin in an inverse way (p < 0.006 for both). FMD was not significantly related to any marker of inflammation after adjustment. Endothelium-independent vasodilation evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with sodium nitroprusside was also found to be related to both CRP and e-selectin in an inverse way (p = 0.005 and p = 0.045, respectively). Conclusion Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in the forearm, but not FMD, was inversely related to CRP and e-selectin levels independently of traditional risk factors in elderly subjects. As also endothelium-independent vasodilation was related to CRP and e-selectin, general vasoreactivity in resistance arteries seems to be effected by low-grade inflammation in elderly subjects.