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.
Materials and Methods: 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).
Results: 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.
Conclusion: 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.