Enhanced Rho-kinase activity in patients with vasospastic angina after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

BACKGROUND It remains unclear whether disease activity of vasospastic angina (VSA) is altered during a disaster. METHODS AND RESULTS Before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we examined Rho-kinase activity in circulating neutrophils of 11 VSA patients and their mental stress with the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) questionnaire. Rho-kinase activity was significantly increased at 6 months after the Earthquake, and was returned to baseline level at 12 months. Importantly, percent change in Rho-kinase activity was significantly correlated with the PTSD score. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the Rho-kinase activity of VSA patients was transiently enhanced associated with disaster-related mental stress.