Endothelial function as measured by peripheral arterial tonometry increases during pubertal advancement.

Background/aims: Sex steroids, such as estrogens, are known to influence endothelial function by their vasodilator action. The aim of this study was to study the relation of puberty and sex steroids with endothelial function using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT).

Methods: In 89 healthy school boys and girls, we determined height, weight, waist circumference, percent body fat, BMI, BMI z-score, blood pressure (BP), BP percentiles, lipid profile, insulin, and glucose levels after overnight fast. Estrone (E(1)), estradiol (E(2)), DHEAS and E(1)-sulfate were measured using ultrasensitive assays. Participants were divided into 3 pubertal groups on the basis of their estrogen levels: group 1 (Tanner stage I), group 2 (Tanner stages II-III), and group 3 (Tanner stages IV-V). Endothelial function was measured by Endo-PAT 2000® and expressed as PAT index. A higher PAT index represents a higher reactive hyperemia response.

Results: The PAT index was lowest at 1.42 ± 0.44 (mean ± SD) in group 1 and significantly increased in group 2 at 1.71 ± 0.35 (p = 0.02) and group 3 at 1.92 ± 0.38 (p < 0.001). The PAT index correlated positively with E(2), DHEAS and age.

Conclusion: Enhancement of the PAT index was associated with an increment in Tanner stages. The changes in E(2) and DHEAS levels may contribute to increasing endothelial response to shear stress or arterial blood flow.