SERUM LEVELS oF NITRIC OXIDE iN SLOW CORONARY FLOW PHENOMENON

Coronary slow flow phenomenon (SCF) is normal or near-normal angiographically that is known with delayed passage of contrast in coronary arteries. Etiology of SCF is unknown. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the main factors in the etiology of SCF and vascular endothelium-derived nitric oxide is one of the main biochemical factors in the regulation of vascular tonisity. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites in SCF patients.
Thirty patients with SCF (53±11.83 years) and 30 healthy controls (51.37±11.89 years) were entered in the case-control investigation. Cases and controls were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Three ml of blood samples were collected in tubes. Serum concentrations of NO metabolites were measured by ELISA method (Ltd. Co, China).
The mean values ​​of nitric oxide metabolites in controlsand patients with SCF was 18.04 ±7.99 and 17.93±4.31μmol/L, respectively; P=0.129.
Endothelial dysfunction is the main factor in the pathogenesis of SCF. But in this study, serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites were not statistically significant in patients with SCF patients versus controls. So it was recommended to further investigate with more subjects.