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6 p., Objective: Findings from several studies have revealed that major depression is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The physiopathologic mechanisms of this association remain unclear, although recently, it has been hypothesized that a decreased production of nitric oxide could be a potential contributor to vascular dysfunction in depressive patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate nitric oxide production and vascular endothelial function in treatment-naive young healthy adults with a first episode of major depression. Methods: A case-control study in 50 treatment-naive young adults with a first episode of major depression and 50 healthy control subjects was conducted. Plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites (nitrates/nitrites) were determined using a colorimetric assay based on Griess reaction. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation measurements after reactive hyperemia. Results: The mean age of the depressed patients was 22.6 (standard deviation [SD], 4.6) years, whereas the controls were 23.4 (SD, 4.8) years. Sixteen men (32%) and 34 women (68%) were included in each group. The plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were significantly lower in depressive subjects compared with healthy controls (17.5 [SD, 4.9] Kmol/L versus 21.6 [SD, 7.0] Kmol/L, p G .001); however, flow-mediated vasodilation values were similar in both groups (13.1% [SD, 4.3%] versus 12.1% [SD, 5.0%], p = .10). Conclusions: Decreased plasma concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites are not associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction in young subjects with a first episode of major depression. Reduced nitrate/nitrite levels could reflect a decreased nitric oxide production in the central nervous system of depressed subjects. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Introducción: la enfermedad cerebrovascular constituye un problema de salud pública mundial. En Colombia es la cuarta causa de muerte en la población adulta y genera una alta discapacidad en estos pacientes. Objetivo: describir algunos resultados obtenidos por el grupo de Ciencias Neurovasculares de la Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia. Desarrollo y conclusiones: la enfermedad cerebrovascular es una entidad con una alta prevalencia en la población colombiana y genera discapacidad mental, motora y del lenguaje. Es necesaria la implementación de unidades de cuidado neurovascular con personal entrenado, protocolos definidos, tratamientos adecuados y tecnología de punta. En Colombia deben imponerse este tipo de unidades dentro del cuidado básico de los pacientes para disminuir la morbilidad, mortalidad y discapacidad generada en estos pacientes. La Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia es pionera en la implementación de este tipo de cuidados. Introduction: cerebrovascular disease constitutes a worldwide public health problem. In Colombia, it is the fourth leading cause of death in the adult population and generates high disability in these patients. Objective: to describe some results obtained by the Neurovascular Sciences group from the Colombian Cardiovascular Foundation. Development and conclusions: cerebrovascular disease has a high prevalence in the Colombian population and generates mental, motor, and language disabilities. The implementation of neurovascular care units with trained personnel, defined protocols, adequate treatments and high technology, are necessary. This kind of units must be imposed in Colombia as a basic care for these patients in order to decrease morbidity, mortality and disability. The Colombian Cardiovascular Foundation is pioneer in the implementation of these care units.

Durante los últimos años, el Instituto de Investigaciones de la Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia ha centrado sus proyectos en el estudio de las diferencias en los mecanismos etiofisiopatológicos de la hipertensión inducida por el embarazo y del síndrome metabólico en poblaciones de países desarrollados y en vía de desarrollo, así como en el peso específico de los factores de riesgo que determinan la presentación de estas enfermedades. Los resultados obtenidos de las investigaciones realizadas en la población, sugieren que los cambios de hábitos de vida ocasionados por la sociedad consumista, son el principal determinante del riesgo aumentado de preeclampsia y enfermedades cardiovasculares que al momento presenta la población colombiana. The Research Institute of the Colombian Cardiovascular Foundation has centered its projects during the last years in the study of the differences in the etio-physiopathologic mechanisms of pregnancy induced hypertension and in the metabolic syndrome in populations of developed and underdeveloped countries, as well as in the value of the risk factors that determine the appearance of these diseases. The results obtained from the investigations realized in the population suggest that changes in life costumes due to a consumer society are the main determinant of the increased risk of pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular diseases that the Colombian population presents at this moment.

ResumenLa implementación de la prueva de mesa basculante en el año 1986 para el diagnóstico de pacientes con sÍncope recurrente de origen no aclarado, determinó al sÍncope neurocardiogénico como una de las causas más prevalentes de disfunsión autonómica cardiovascular a pesar de su importancia en términos de salud pública, la fisiopatologÍa del sÍncope neurocardiogénico no ha sido completamente aclarada, dificultando asÍ la implementación de un enfoque terapéutico apropiado.[Garcia R, Gusmán JC, Silvia SY, Zarruk JG, Lópes Jaramillo P, Morillo CA, Silvia FA. El papel del sistema serotoninérgico central en la etiopatogenia del sÍncope neurocardiogénico. MedUNAB 2005; 8:197-201].Palabras clave: Sincope neurocardiogénico, Sistema nervioso central, Sistema central serotoninérgico, Serotonina, Sistema nervioso autónomo, depresión, ansiedad.