Plasma nitrite levels in patients that has carotid and vertebrobasiller artery stenosis or plaque in doppler usg

Stroke is caused by the failure of the blood supply of the brain areas that results in the loss of brain function and focal cerebral signs and symptoms Pathophysiology of stroke is multifactorial. The presence of atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and/or vertebral arteries, as well having stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) previously is important in increasing the risk of cerebrovascular disease. Disturbances in plasma nitric oxide levels may have a role in the formation of atherosclerotic changes in the extracranial arterial system. Sixty-eight cases with atherosclerotic plaque or stenosis of carotid and vertebral arteries, 12 cases with bilateral intimal thickening in the carotid arteries, and 60 control cases with normal Doppler USG findings were enrolled into the present study. The associated systemic diseases, that were previously identified as risk factors for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases were asked and the plasma nitrite levels of all cases were assessed. Mean plasma nitrit levels didn't show any significant differences. Personal medical histories revealed that patient group had greater risk for having coronary artery disease (CAD) (p=0,004) and hypertension (HT) (p=0,015), The risk for having diabetes mellitus tended to be higher in the patient group but we couldn't reveal a significant difference between patient and control cases (p = 0.062). Additionally according to our results patient group had significantly higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p = 0.001), kreatine (p=0.005), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p=0.006) levels. In conclusion, a) it should be kept in mind that atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and vertebral arteries may be associated with CAD and HT and; b) elevated ESR, plasma BUN, and kreatine levels should be confirmed in further studies; and c) plasma nitrite levels does not seem as having a role in the atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and vertebral arteries. However, further studies are needed for confirmation of this result. Key words: Carotid artery, Vertebral artery, Doppler USG, Plasma nitrit level