Endothelial function of conduit arteries in patients with ulcerative colitis and metabolic syndrome.

Although ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic inflammation and elevated circulating plasma levels of C reactive protein and TNF-alpha, well recognized cardiovascular risk factors, several studies have suggested that patients with UC do not bear an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, recent reports have shown that UC is associated with increased intima-media thickness and impaired endothelial function. On the other hand, endothelial dysfunction is strictly related to premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in different populations. In addition, metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with impairment of endothelial function in the general population, while the impact of MS on endothelial function in UC patients is unknown. Aim of this study was firstly to clarify, in a large group of patients, whether endothelial function of conduit arteries is affected by UC. Secondly, to investigate whether MS in patients with UC has an impact on the endothelial function. Among the patients with UC, twenty-three were also affected by MS, whereas twenty-two patients with MS were present in the control group. FMD was similar in patients with UC and controls (11.8±0.9% and 12.2±0.8, respectively, p=NS). While the presence of MS in the control group was associated with impairment of endothelial function (13.6±0.8% in healthy controls and 10.2±0.6 in patients with MS, p=0.003), patients with MS and UC did not show any worsening of their endothelial function (11.4±1.0% in patients with UC and SM and 12.1±1.3 in patients with UC without MS; p=0.35). NMD was similar in all the groups.