Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with metabolic syndrome with and without physical activity

Abstract

Background and aims: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a distinctive phenotype associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. As the constantly progressing metabolic syndrome is accompanied by an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications, it is essential to take appropriate, non-pharmacological, costeffective measures immediately after the diagnosis has been made. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of physical activity on subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods and materials: Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) by brachial artery in 116 participants without clinical changes of cardiovascular disease; on B-mode ultrasound images, with the use of a 10 MHz linear-array transducer in terms of fasting for 8 hours. Subclinical atherosclerosis was considered by IMT greater than 0.9mm. Endothelial dysfunction was diagnosed if flow-mediated dilatation was less than 10%. A group of 38 from the 116 participants underwent a six months program of physical activity.
Results: The mean FMD by patients with lake of physical activity was 3.15% and of the patients with physical activity was 7.07% (p<0.001). The mean value of IMT at the right common carotid in was 0.883mm and at the left common carotid was 0.907mm in the group of patients without physical activity on the other hand in the group of patients with physical activity the mean value of IMT right was 0.847mm and IMT left was 0.826mm.
Conclusion: Physical activity on a short term of six months decreased the endothelial dysfunction. Severe impaired endothelial function was noticed by patients without physical activity. Modified common carotid intima-media thickness was present by patients with MetS and without physical activity but not statistical significant, so further studies are needed.

Key words:

atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, physical activity, flow meditated vasodilatation