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Microvascular involvement in systemic sclerosis: laser Doppler evaluation of reactivity to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside by iontophoresis.

Authors :
La Civita L
Rossi M
Vagheggini G
Storino FA
Credidio L
Pasero G
Giusti C
Ferri C
Source :
Annals of the rheumatic diseases [Ann Rheum Dis] 1998 Jan; Vol. 57 (1), pp. 52-5.
Publication Year :
1998

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the skin vasodilatory response to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine (Ach), an endothelium dependent vasodilator, and to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an endothelium independent vasodilator, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).<br />Methods: Eleven SSc patients were preliminarily studied (10 females, mean age 40.5; mean disease duration 6.5 years), and 16 age and sex matched control subjects. By means of laser Doppler flowmetry skin blood flow was evaluated at third finger, at baseline, and after postischaemic hyperaemia test and during iontophoretically transcutaneous application of 1% solution of Ach and SNP.<br />Results: No significant differences in basal skin blood flow were detected between SSc patients and controls. Cutaneous vasodilatory response to ischaemia, Ach, and SNP was significantly less pronounced in SSc patients compared with controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, among SSc patients a lower (p < 0.05) vasodilatory response to Ach compared with ischaemia and SNP was recorded.<br />Conclusions: These data confirm a reduction of skin digital vasodilatory reserve in SSc patients and suggest a defect of both endothelial dependent arteriolar relaxation and wall compliance in the pathogenesis of this dysfunction.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0003-4967
Volume :
57
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of the rheumatic diseases
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
9536825
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.57.1.52