The measurement of endothelial function using FMD (flow-mediated dilation) is a widely validated, non-invasive technique used in clinical research. FMD is considered a potential early marker of atherosclerosis. The investigators have been working for several years in collaboration with INRAE in Theix, where a number of observational and interventional studies have been carried out. Indeed, more than 400 patients, particularly women over the age of 50, have been included to investigate various clinical conditions such as nutritional disorders, cardiovascular disorders and rheumatological conditions. These studies have been the subject of several publications which have highlighted low FMD values in the presence of these comorbidities compared with European standards. However, these studies were retrospective and employed different methodologies, populations, techniques, equipment and investigators.
The investigators currently lack reference values to propose guidelines for more effective prevention of endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, in several studies the investigators have highlighted correlations between FMD and muscle impairment and quality of life, using no reference standards other than those found in the literature - which also contains methodological biases - and they would also like to establish their own reference values in this context.
This study therefore aims to assess endothelial and muscle function, as well as quality of life, in healthy female volunteers with the aim of establishing reference values, under the same conditions and using the same methodology as in previous clinical trials.
