Red Blood Cells as a Reflection of Endothelial Function in Old Age

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The aim of this study is to find out, how far red blood cells reflect age-depended changes in endothelial function.

Detailed Description
-----------------
It will be investigated with determination of endothelial function (measured as flow-mediated vasodilation) and of circulated nitric oxid-pool in red blood cells and in blood plasma, how far red blood cells reflect age-depended changes in endothelial function.

Official Title
-----------------
Red Blood Cells as a Reflection of Endothelial Function in Old Age

Conditions
-----------------
Red Blood Cells, Endothelial Function, Nitric Oxide Pool in Red Blood Cells and Blood Plasma

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Groups 1-3: Inclusion Criteria: healthy subjects informed consent Exclusion Criteria: hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), hypercholesterolemia (LDL ≥250 mg/dl, HDL ≤45 mg/dl), diabetes mellitus (fasting plasma glucose ≥128 mg/dl) acute inflammation (CRP >0.5 mg/dl) malignant diseases heart failure (NYHA III-IV) arrhythmia of high degree acute or terminated kidney disease cardiovascular diseases ( cardiac artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular diseases) anemia pregnancy Group 4 : Inclusion Criteria: angiographical signs of apparent atherosclerosis (cardiac artery disease or peripheral vascular disease or degenerative valvular heart disease) informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), Hypercholesterolemia (LDL ≥250 mg/dl, HDL ≤45 mg/dl), Diabetes mellitus (fasting plasma glucose ≥128 mg/dl) acute inflammation (CRP >0.5 mg/dl) malignant diseases heart failure (NYHA III-IV) arrhythmia of high degree acute or terminated kidney disease cardiovascular diseases ( cardiac artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular diseases) anemia pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Healthy young age<br>Healthy subjects in age of 18-35 years, without cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, acute inflammations and terminal kidney disease | |
| Healthy middle age<br>Healthy subjects in age of 35-45 years, without cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, acute inflammations and terminal kidney disease | |
| Healthy old<br>Healthy subjects in age of >70 years, without cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, acute inflammations and terminal kidney disease | |
| Patients<br>Patients with atherosclerosis | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determination of endothelial function | measured as flow-mediated vasodilation | baseline | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determination of nitric oxide(NO)-pool in red blood cells and blood plasma |  | baseline | 
| Determination of erythrocytes parameter | It will be determinated: oxidative status, signalling of nitric oxide, function, creation, amount and aging of red blood cells, cell-to-cell-interaction, microRNA and inflammation | baseline | 
| Cardiovascular Parameter | It will be determinated: hemodynamic, microcirculation and physicomechanic | baseline | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
red blood cells, endothelial function, nitric oxide pool in red blood cells, nitric oxide poll in blood plasma, nitric oxide synthase III - expression, oxidative status, nitric oxide signalling