The Effects of Lowering Cholesterol on Vasodilation

<p>Endothelial dysfunction has been found prior to any signs of atherosclerotic plaque formation in patients with a variety of risk factors for atherosclerosis. Elevated serum cholesterol has repeatedly been associated with endothelial dysfunction as demonstrated by impaired vasoreactivity to vasodilating stimuli.</p> <p>The aim of this research was to determine whether short term lowering of serum cholesterol levels by life style changes or by cholesterol lowering medication could reverse or reduce the endothelial dysfunction. The brachial artery diameter was measured by high-resolution ultrasound at rest and during reactive hyperemia pre and postintervention. Fifty-three subjects with cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dl were randomly assigned to three groups: Lifestyle change (n=17), medication (n=17), and placebo (n=19).</p> <p>All individuals were assessed for readiness to change using Prochaska’s and DiClemente’s stages of change. All individuals were the highest in contemplation stage at the beginning of the intervention. Only individuals in the lifestyle group moved to the action stage of change after intervention. There was no change in the individuals’ reported mood state pre and post-intervention.</p> <p>No correlation was seen between the lipid values and the brachial artery diameter change following the six week intervention period for any of the groups and groups did not differ on reactivity to vasodilating stimuli pre or post intervention. There was a statistically significant drop in both the total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in the lifestyle and medication groups, but no change in the HDL-cholesterol in all three groups. This contradicts previous research showing that HDL-cholesterol levels decrease with low fat diet.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year

1996

Author dc:creator

• Hardt, Maria Christi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Glen G. Blix
• Jerry W. Lee
• Gier Frivold

• Physiology
• Preventive Medicine
• Public Health Education and Promotion
• Vasodilation -- physiology; Endothelial Growth Factors; Lipoproteins, LDL Cholesterol; Coronary Arteriosclerosis -- physiopathology; Cholesterol.

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1029

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2088