Received August 17, 2005
Revised November 9, 2005
Accepted after revision January 4, 2006
Variations in carotid arterial compliance during the menstrual cycle
Koichiro Hayashi 1*,
Motohiko Miyachi 2,
Natsuki Seno 3,
Kouki Takahashi 4,
Ken Yamazaki 3,
Jun Sugawara 1,
Takashi Yokoi 1,
Sho Onodera 3,
Noboru Mesaki 5
1 National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology(AIST)
2 National Institute of Health and Nutrition
3 Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare
4 Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts
5 University of Tsukuba
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: k-hayashi{at}aist.go.jp.
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Abstract |
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The effect of menstrual cycle phase on arterial elasticity is controversial. In 10 healthy women (20.6 ± 1.5 yrs, mean ± SD), we investigated the variations in central and peripheral arterial elasticity, blood pressure (carotid and brachial), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations at five points in the menstrual cycle (menstrual: M, follicular: F, ovulatory: O, early luteal: EL, and late luteal: LL). Carotid arterial compliance (simultaneous ultrasound and applanation tonometry) varied cyclically, with significant increases from the values seen in M (0.164 ± 0.036 mm2/mmHg) and F (0.171 ± 0.029) to that seen in O (0.184 ± 0.029) phase. Sharp declines were observed in the EL (0.150 ± 0.033) and LL (0.147 ± 0.026) phases (F=8.51, p<0.05). Pulse wave velocity in the leg (i.e., peripheral arterial stiffness) did not exhibit any significant changes. Fluctuations in carotid arterial elasticity correlated with the balance between estradiol and progesterone concentrations. No significant changes in carotid and brachial blood pressures, carotid artery lumen diameter, or IMT throughout the menstrual cycle. These data provide evidence that the elastic properties of central, but not peripheral, arteries fluctuate significantly with the phases of the menstrual cycle.
Key Words:
Menstrual cycle, Oestrogen, Vasodilatation
