Disordered vascular compliance in haemochromatosis

• Published in: Irish journal of medical science Vol. 183; no. 2; pp. 303 - 309
• Main Authors: Cash, W. J., O’Neill, S., O’Donnell, M. E., McCance, D. R., Young, I. S., McEneny, J., Cadden, I. S., McDougall, Neil I., Callender, M. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.06.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid - blood; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Pressure - physiology; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Case-Control Studies; Cell Adhesion Molecules - blood; Compliance - physiology; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Family Medicine; Female; gamma-Tocopherol - blood; General Practice; Hemochromatosis - genetics; Hemochromatosis - physiopathology; Homozygote; Humans; Internal Medicine; Lipid Peroxides - blood; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Pulse Wave Analysis; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Vitamin A - blood; Iron; Vascular; Compliance; Antioxidant; Arterial; Haemochromatosis
• ISSN: 0021-1265; 1863-4362
• DOI: 10.1007/s11845-013-1010-2

Background A relationship may exist between body iron stores, endothelial dysfunction and overall cardiovascular risk. Aims To compare vascular compliance, biochemical endothelial function and antioxidant status between patients with homozygous hereditary haemochromatosis and healthy controls. Methods Haemochromatosis patients and healthy controls were recruited. Measures of vascular compliance were assessed by applanation tonometry. Serological markers of endothelial function (plasma lipid hydroperoxides, cell adhesion molecules), antioxidant levels (ascorbate, lipid soluble antioxidants) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured. Results Thirty-five hereditary haemochromatosis patients (ten females, mean age 54.6) and 36 controls (27 female, mean age 54.0) were recruited. Haemochromatosis patients had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was significantly higher in male haemochromatosis patients (9.90 vs. 8.65 m/s, p  = 0.048). Following adjustment for age and blood pressure, male haemochromatosis patients continued to have a trend for higher PWVs (+1.37 m/s, p  = 0.058). Haemochromatosis patients had significantly lower levels of ascorbate (46.11 vs. 72.68 μmol/L, p  = 0.011), retinol (1.17 vs. 1.81 μmol/L, p  = 0.001) and g-tocopherol (2.51 vs. 3.14 μmol/L, p  = 0.011). However, there was no difference in lipid hydroperoxides (0.46 vs. 0.47 nmol/L, p  = 0.94), cell adhesion molecule levels (ICAM: 348.12 vs. 308.03 ng/mL, p  = 0.32 and VCAM: 472.78 vs. 461.31 ng/mL, p  = 0.79) or high-sensitivity CRP (225.01 vs. 207.13 mg/L, p  = 0.32). Conclusions Haemochromatosis is associated with higher PWVs in males and diminished antioxidants across the sexes but no evidence of endothelial dysfunction or increased lipid peroxidation.