Bibliogr. s. 54-55

Evaluation of vascular reactivity becomes increasingly more often applied in assessing vascular susceptibility to atherosclerosis and vascular damage in diabetes. "Gold standard" test for vasodilation assessment includes administration of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) donor. The aim of this work was to analyze the course and effect of the test in type 1 diabetes and non-diabetes subjects in different age groups. 71 healthy men and 45 male patients with type 1 diabetes were examined. Evaluation of hemodynamic reaction was conducted with the means of ultrasound color Doppler examination. It has been demonstrated that the degree of vascular reaction to the administration of NO reduces with age: in subjects <30 years old the change in early diastolic velocity (Vr1) is 236%, while in those >45 years old 102%. The response to stimulus occurred at different times in different subgroups. After NO administration the reaction occurs most rapidly in young men (70-130 sec.) and the slowest reaction was noted in healthy subjects aged <46 years (100-230 sec.). Changes are more pronounced in patients with diabetes, particularly in subjects <30 years, with the change in Vr1 158%, whilst in those aged >45 years it was merely 78%. The reaction in the group of patients with diabetes occurred in those aged < 30 years (100-160 sec.), and in subjects > 46 years (120-240 sec.). These differences were statistically significant. Reliable evaluation of vascular reaction to the action of pharmacological stimulus requires constant spectral analysis. Age- and co-morbidities related modifications to pharmacological test are justified, especially in elderly subjects and in patients with diabetes.