Abstract

BRAUN, Alexandra; VARGAS DA SILVA, Antonio Marcos; DIPP, Thiago  and  DELLA MEA PLENTZ, Rodrigo. Association between endothelial function and autonomic balance in healthy subjects. Salud(i)ciencia [online]. 2017, vol.22, n.5, pp.423-429. ISSN 1667-8682.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the association between endothelial function and autonomic balance, anthropometric and biochemical variables in healthy subjects. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 35 normotensive, active and very active volunteers of both sexes (27.5 ± 5.8 years). Autonomic balance was estimated by measuring heart rate variability, with the Polar RS800CX, for 20 minutes (10 minutes in spontaneous ventilation/10 minutes with controlled ventilation). The signal was analyzed by Kubios Heart Rate Variability software. Respiratory rate was fixed on a metronome set at 12 breaths/min. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasound of the brachial artery and estimated by flow-mediated dilation. Results: There was a negative correlation between flow-mediated dilation and LF/HF ratio (r = -0.43; p = 0.011), low frequency component (LF; r = -0.41; p = 0.016), body mass index (r = -0.43; p = 0.01) and weight (r = -0.39; p = 0.02). Flow-mediated dilation was associated with the high-frequency component (HF, r = 0.41; p = 0.015). There was no association between flow-mediated dilation or components of the autonomic balance and total cholesterol, blood glucose and triglycerides. Conclusion: The association between endothelial function and autonomic balance in healthy, active and very active subjects demonstrates the simultaneous action between biological responses of endothelial cells and neuro-humoral stimuli of the autonomic nervous system, both with a view to proper cardiovascular control.

Keywords : autonomic nervous system; heart rate; motor activity; vascular endothelium.

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