Effects of BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine on vascular function

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 30;19(4):e0302512. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302512. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

The effects of Covid-19 vaccines on vascular function are still controversial. We evaluated the effects of BNT162b2 vaccine (BioNTech and Pfizer) on endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and vascular smooth muscle function assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (NID). This study was a prospective observational study. A total of 23 medical staff at Hiroshima University Hospital were enrolled in this study. FMD and NID were measured before vaccination and two weeks and six months after the 2nd dose of vaccination. FMD was significantly smaller two weeks after the 2nd dose of vaccination than before vaccination (6.5±2.4% and 8.2±2.6%, p = 0.03). FMD was significantly larger at six months than at two weeks after the 2nd dose of vaccination (8.2±3.0% and 6.5±2.4%, p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between FMD before vaccination and that at six months after the 2nd dose of vaccination (8.2±2.6% to 8.2±3.0%, p = 0.96). NID values were similar before vaccination and at two weeks, and six months after vaccination (p = 0.89). The BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine temporally impaired endothelial function but not vascular smooth muscle function, and the impaired endothelial function returned to the baseline level within six months after vaccination.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • BNT162 Vaccine* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • Vaccination
  • Vasodilation* / drug effects

Substances

  • BNT162 Vaccine
  • COVID-19 Vaccines

Grants and funding

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan (18590815 and 21590898 to Y.Higashi).