Red Blood Cells as a Reflection of Endothelial Function in Old Age
Red Blood Cells as a Reflection of Endothelial Function in Old Age
The aim of this study is to find out, how far red blood cells reflect age-depended changes in
 endothelial function.
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.
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