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Abstract: SA-PO331

Assessment of Sublingual Microcirculation with the GlycoCheck System: Reproducibility and Examination Conditions

Session Information

Category: Hypertension and CVD

  • 1403 Hypertension and CVD: Mechanisms

Authors

  • Frimodt-Moller, Marie, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
  • Eickhoff, Mie K., Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
  • Winther, Signe Abitz, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
  • Díaz, Lars J., Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
  • Persson, Frederik, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
  • Hansen, Tine, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
  • Rossing, Peter, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
Background

The glycocalyx is an extracellular layer lining the lumen of the vascular endothelium including the glomerular capillaries. It protects the endothelium from shear stress and atherosclerosis and contributes to coagulation, immune response and micro-vascular perfusion. Degradation of the glycocalyx is a part of several renal disease processes and ultimately results in proteinuria. The GlycoCheck system is a new method to estimate the glycocalyx’ thickness in vivo from perfused boundary region (PBR) and microvascular perfusion (red blood cell (RBC)-filling) via a video camera coupled to a computer with integrated software. We evaluate reproducibility and influence of examination conditions on measurements with the GlycoCheck system.

Methods

Open-labelled randomised, controlled study including 42 healthy smokers investigating day-to-day, side-of-tongue and inter-investigator variance and influence of smoking, high calorie meal and coffee on PBR and RBC-filling at intervals from 0-180 minutes.

Results

The mean(SD) age was 24.9(6.1) years and 52% were male. There was no significant intra- or inter-investigator variance for PBR or RBC-filling and no for PBR for side-of-tongue. A small variance was found for day-to-day, PBR (0.012µm, p=0.007)/ RBC-filling (0.003%, p=0.005) and side-of-tongue, RBC-filling (0.025%, p=0.009). Significant influence of cigarette smoking (from 40-180 minutes), high calorie meal intake and coffee consumption was found, the latter two peaking immediately and tapering off but remained significant up to 180 minutes, highest PBR changes for the three being 0.042µm (p<0.05), 0.183µm (p<0.001) and 0.160µm (p<0.05), respectively.

Conclusion

Measurements with the GlycoCheck system have an acceptable reproducibility, even with day-to-day variability. Smoking, diet and coffee had influence on measurements of up to 180 minutes, thus abstinence is recommended at least 180 minutes before measurements. Future studies will address impact of renal disease and reno-protective intervention on glycocalyx but should standardise measurement conditions.

Funding

  • Private Foundation Support