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2274947 
Journal Article 
Real-Time RT-PCR Ct Values for Blood GAPDH Correlate with Measures of Vascular Endothelial Function in Humans 
Khan, F; Choong, WenL; Du, Q; Jovanovic, A 
2013 
Yes 
Clinical and Translational Science
ISSN: 1752-8054 
6 
6 
481-484 
English 
24330693 
WOS:000328464500016 
PURPOSE: To date, there is a wide range of methods in use to assess endothelial function, each with its own advantages and limitations. Here, we tested hypothesis that real-time RT-PCR threshold value (Ct), which is reflective of mRNA level, for Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from whole blood is indicative of endothelial function in humans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess vascular function, we measured baseline skin perfusion, postocclusion reactive hyperemia (PORH), and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and tested for a possible correlation between vascular responses and blood GAPDH real-time RT-PCR Ct value in 75 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS: Tests known to measure, at least in part, endothelial function such as baseline skin perfusion, the 2-minute recovery PORH, and FMD exhibited significant positive correlations with blood GAPDH Ct values. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between Ct values for blood GAPDH and peak PORH, an endothelium-independent parameter.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, we report that GAPDH mRNA level in the blood correlates with vascular function in healthy subjects. This suggests that GAPDH mRNA level could be a potential biomarker of vascular endothelial function. 
GAPDH; endothelial function; vascular function; biomarker