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Elevated circulating endothelial cell-derived microvesicles: a biomarker of endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in adults with obesity

delete2025-05-01
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PRE
AI
V
Vinícius P. Garcia
H
Hannah Fandl
K
Kendra N. Wegerson
A
Auburn R. Berry
S
Samuel T. Ruzzene
J
Jared J. Greiner
K
Kelly A. Stockelman
C
Caitlin A. Dow
A
Andrew Park
B
Brian L. Stauffer
C
Christopher A. DeSouza *
DOI:10.1152/japplphysiol.00081.2025delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Endothelial cell-derived extracellular microvesicles (EMVs) have emerged as a biomarker of cardiovascular disease risk, progression, and severity. The aims were to determine 1) if circulating EMV levels are elevated in adults with obesity and 2) whether circulating EMVs are associated with obesity-related endothelial vasomotor dysfunction. Thirty-six sedentary, midlife adults (45-63 yr) were studied: 18 adults with normal weight (12 M/6 F; age: 56 +/- 6 yr; body mass index: 23.3 +/- 1.5 kg/m(2)) and 18 adults with obesity (12 M/6 F; 53 +/- 5 yr; 31.9 +/- 1.7 kg/m(2)). EMV (CD31+/42b-) concentration in plasma was determined by flow cytometry. Forearm blood flow (FBF; via plethysmography) was assessed in response to intra-arterial infusions of acetylcholine (4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 mu g/100 mLtissue/min), sodium nitroprusside (1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mu g/100 mLtissue/min), and the selective endothelin (ET)-1 receptor antagonist BQ-123 (ETA receptor blockade; 100 nmol/min; for 60 min). Circulating EMVs were similar to 85% higher (P < 0.001) in adults with obesity (147 +/- 54 EMV/mu L) than in adults with normal weight (79 +/- 27 EMV/L). FBF response to acetylcholine was significantly lower (similar to 30%) in adults with obesity (from 4.3 +/- 0.9 to 10.5 +/- 2.3 mL/100 mLtissue/min) versus adults with normal weight (from 4.2 +/- 0.9 to 15.1 +/- 2.4 mL/100 mLtissue/min). BQ-123 elicited a significantly greater (similar to 35%) increase in FBF in adults with obesity, indicative of higher ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone. Circulating EMVs were inversely related with total FBF response to acetylcholine (r = -0.49; P = 0.001) and positively associated with total FBF response to BQ-123 (r = 0.46; P = 0.005). In conclusion, circulating levels of EMVs are elevated in adults with obesity and are associated with reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increased ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Circulating endothelial microvesicles (EMVs) may serve as a key biomarker and mediator of vascular dysfunction in obesity. This study demonstrates that EMV levels are markedly higher in adults with obesity compared with adults with normal weight. Elevated EMVs were associated with impaired endothelial vasodilation and heightened endothelin-1-mediated vasoconstriction. These findings highlight a potential mechanistic link between obesity and cardiovascular disease risk, emphasizing the role of EMVs in vascular health.
Keywords:
endothelial microvesicles
endothelium
obesity
vasoconstriction
vasodilation

Journal

Journal of Applied Physiology cover
Journal of Applied Physiology
IF:
3.3
Papers:
1.5W
Citations:
4.0W

Organization

C
craig hosp
Scholars:
1
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
U
Univ Colorado
Scholars:
2.5K
Papers: 1.7K
Citations: 494
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