scholarly journals Cocoa Flavanols Improve Vascular Responses to Acute Mental Stress in Young Healthy Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1103
Author(s):  
Rosalind Baynham ◽  
Jet J.C.S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten ◽  
Paul W. Johns ◽  
Quang S. Pham ◽  
Catarina Rendeiro
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Post Stress ◽  
Cocoa Flavanols

Mental stress has been shown to induce cardiovascular events, likely due to its negative impact on vascular function. Flavanols, plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, improve endothelial function and blood pressure (BP) in humans, however their effects during stress are not known. This study examined the effects of acute intake of cocoa flavanols on stress-induced changes on vascular function. In a randomised, controlled, double-blind, cross-over intervention study, 30 healthy men ingested a cocoa flavanol beverage (high-flavanol: 150 mg vs. low-flavanol < 4 mg (−)-epicatechin) 1.5 h before an 8-min mental stress task). Forearm blood flow (FBF), BP, and cardiovascular activity were assessed pre- and post-intervention, both at rest and during stress. Endothelial function (brachial flow-mediated dilatation, FMD) and brachial BP were measured before the intervention and 30 and 90 min post-stress. FMD was impaired 30 min post-stress, yet high-flavanol cocoa attenuated this decline and remained significantly higher compared to low-flavanol cocoa at 90 min post-stress. High-flavanol cocoa increased FBF at rest and during stress. Stress-induced cardiovascular and BP responses were similar in both conditions. Flavanols are effective at counteracting mental stress-induced endothelial dysfunction and improving peripheral blood flow during stress. These findings suggest the use of flavanol-rich dietary strategies to protect vascular health during stress.

scholarly journals Lipid Lowering Therapy with Combination of Niacin and Statin in Women: Age-Related Endothelial Effects

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Beth Parker ◽  
Kamlesh Kothawade ◽  
Namee Kim ◽  
Maura Paul-Labrador ◽  
Noel Bairey Merz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Lipid Lowering Therapy ◽  
Cardiac Events ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Lowering Therapy ◽  
Age Related

Background. Many women remain at risk for cardiac events despite treatment to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We hypothesized that for postmenopausal women treated with niacin in addition to statin vascular function will improve. Methods. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 16 weeks of niacin (N) versus placebo (PL) in 43 women (mean age, 67±9 years) previously on statin therapy. Study outcomes included lipoprotein levels, vascular inflammation assessed by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and endothelial function, assessed as brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD). Results. The N group significantly increased HDL-C and decreased LDL-C cholesterol relative to PL (both P<0.01). FMD improved in both groups (P=0.02) irrespective of niacin (P=0.21). Age influenced change in FMD (P=0.01) such that improved FMD (before to after) with lipid lowering therapy was greater with older age (P=0.03 Pearson correlation = 0.34), independent of treatment group. Conclusions. Lipid lowering therapy with combination of niacin and statin does not improve inflammation or endothelial function compared to statin alone. However, older women demonstrate relatively greater endothelial benefit of lipid lowering therapy over 4 months. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00590629.

scholarly journals Noninvasive Assessment of Endothelium-Dependent Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial Artery

1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akimi Uehata ◽  
Eric H Lieberman ◽  
Marie D Gerhard ◽  
Todd J Anderson ◽  
Peter Ganz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Brachial Artery ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Reactive Hyperemia ◽  
Intraobserver Variability ◽  
Flow Mediated Dilation ◽  
Noninvasive Technique ◽  
Brachial Artery Diameter ◽  
Cuff Occlusion

Coronary atherosclerosis is characterized by an early loss of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. However, the methods of assessing coronary endothelial function are invasive and difficult to repeat over time. Recently, a noninvasive ultrasound method has been widely used to measure flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery as a surrogate test for endothelial function. We seek to further validate this method of measuring vascular function. The brachial artery diameters and blood flow of 20 normal volunteers (10 males and 10 females) were measured using high resolution (7.5 MHz) ultrasound and strain gauge plethysmography. Flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation was measured in the brachial artery during reactive hyperemia after 5 minutes of cuff occlusion in the upper arm. The brachial artery diameter increased maximally by 9.7 ± 4.3% from baseline at 1 min after cuff release and blood flow increased by 1002 ± 376%. Five min of cuff occlusion was sufficient to achieve 97 ± 6% of maximal brachial artery dilation and degree of dilation was not different whether the cuff was inflated proximally or distally to the image site. The intraobserver variability in measuring brachial diameters was 2.9 % and the variability of the hyperemic response was 1.4%. In young, healthy men and women, the baseline brachial artery diameter was the only factor that was predictive of the flow-mediated vasodilation response. The brachial noninvasive technique has been further validated by the determination of flow-mediated dilation. This method of assessing endothelial function may help to determine the importance of vasodilator dysfunction as a risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals Bacillus subtilis DE111 intake may improve blood lipids and endothelial function in healthy adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
R.E. Trotter ◽  
A.R. Vazquez ◽  
D.S. Grubb ◽  
K.E. Freedman ◽  
L.E. Grabos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Subtilis Strain ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
Double Blind

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US and worldwide. By 2030 it is anticipated that CVD will claim the lives of more than 24 million people. Throughout the last decade, researchers have investigated the role of the gut microbiota in the development of CVD. Evidence exists for a positive correlation between Bifidobacterium and vascular function, glucose tolerance, and reduced systemic inflammation. Another probiotic species, Bacillus subtilis, has also been found to reduce cholesterol levels in human and animal models. In light of these data, we examined various measures of cardiovascular health after consumption of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BL04, with and without a cocktail of Escherichia coli-targeting bacteriophages (marketed as PreforPro), Bacillus subtilis strain DE111 or a maltodextrin-based placebo in a healthy human population. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week intervention conducted in individuals 18 to 65 years of age with a body mass index of 20 to 34.9, we saw no significant changes in measured CVD parameters among individuals consuming B. lactis with or without bacteriophages. However, B. subtilis supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol relative to baseline measures (-8 mg/dl; P=0.04, confidence interval (CI): -13.40, -0.19), as well as non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (-11 mg/dl; P=0.01, CI: -12.43, -2.07). In addition we observed trending improvements in endothelial function (P=0.05, CI: -0.003, 0.370) and in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.06, CI:-12.29, 0.2864). Strikingly, these effects were seen in a largely healthy population. These data suggest that B. subtilis supplementation may be beneficial for improving risk factors associated with CVD. Further studies in populations of older adults or those with dyslipidaemia and endothelial dysfunction is warranted.

scholarly journals Hyperglycemia Increases Muscle Blood Flow and Alters Endothelial Function in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S. Dye ◽  
Hong Huang ◽  
John A. Bauer ◽  
Robert P. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Microvascular Complications ◽  
Muscle Blood Flow ◽  
Arterial Occlusion ◽  
Venous Occlusion ◽  
Before And After

Alterations of blood flow and endothelial function precede development of complications in type 1 diabetes. The effects of hyperglycemia on vascular function in early type 1 diabetes are poorly understood. To investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and endothelial function in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, FVR was measured before and after 5 minutes of upper arm arterial occlusion using venous occlusion plethysmography in (1) fasted state, (2) euglycemic state (~90 mg/dL; using 40 mU/m2/min insulin infusion), and (3) hyperglycemic state (~200 mg/dL) in 11 adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Endothelial function was assessed by the change in FVR following occlusion. Seven subjects returned for a repeat study with hyperglycemia replaced by euglycemia. Preocclusion FVR decreased from euglycemia to hyperglycemia (P=0.003). Postocclusion fall in FVR during hyperglycemia was less than during euglycemia (P=0.002). These findings were not reproduced when hyperglycemia was replaced with a second euglycemia. These results demonstrate that acute hyperglycemia causes vasodilation and alters endothelial function in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. In addition they have implications for future studies of endothelial function in type 1 diabetes and provide insight into the etiology of macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 1 diabetes.

scholarly journals Effect of Ivabradine on Endothelial Function in Diastolic and Right Heart Failure Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arturo Orea-Tejeda ◽  
Karla Balderas-Muñoz ◽  
Lilia Castillo-Martínez ◽  
Oscar Infante-Vázquez ◽  
Raúl Martínez Memije ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Systolic Heart Failure ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Right Heart Failure ◽  
Right Heart ◽  
Heart Failure Patients ◽  
Before And After

Background. Ivabradine is an If ion current inhibitor that has proved to reduce mortality in patients with systolic heart failure by slowing heart rate without decreasing myocardial contractility. Photoplethysmography is a simple, low-cost optical technique that can evaluate vascular function and detect changes in blood flow, pulse, and swelling of tissular microvascular space.Objective. To evaluate the effect of ivabradine on endothelial function by photoplethysmography in diastolic and right heart failure patients.Methodology. 15 patients were included (mean age of 78.1 ± 9.2 years) with optimally treated diastolic and right heart failure. They underwent photoplethysmography before and after induced ischemia to evaluate the wave blood flow on the finger, using the maximum amplitude time/total time (MAT/TT) index. Two measurements were made before and after oral Ivabradine (mean 12.5 mg a day during 6 months of followup).Results. In the study group, the MAT/TT index was 29.1 ± 2.2 versus 24.3 ± 3.2 () in basal recording and 30.4 ± 2.1 versus 23.3 ± 2.9 (), before versus after ischemia and before versus after Ivabradine intervention, respectively.Conclusions. Ivabradine administration improves endothelial function (shear stress) in diastolic and right heart failure patients.

scholarly journals Impact of a Supplementation with Polyphenol Extract and L-citrulline on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Pre-Hypertensive Individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1151-1151
Author(s):  
Cécile Vors ◽  
Maryka Rancourt-Bouchard ◽  
Charles Couillard ◽  
Iris Gigleux ◽  
Patrick Couture ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Ambulatory Blood Pressure ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Blood Lipids ◽  
Grape Seeds ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Obesity Status

Abstract Objectives To investigate the short-term impact of supplementation with a combination of polyphenols extracts and L-citrulline on ambulatory blood pressure (BP), vascular function and inflammation in pre-hypertensive individuals. Methods In a randomized double-blind parallel trial, men and women with pre-hypertension were subjected to 6-wk supplementation with 764 mg/day of polyphenols extracts from cranberries and grape seeds and 2 g/day of L-citrulline (n = 35) or with placebo (cellulose, n = 34). The primary outcome of this study was the change in 24-hour ambulatory BP, which was monitored every 20 minutes during daytime and every 60 minutes during nighttime both at baseline and at week 6 post-intervention. Secondary outcomes included glycation products, a proxy of vascular function measured by a sensitive cutaneous optical method as well as blood lipids and CRP. Changes in study outcomes were analyzed using mixed models in SAS. The potential impact of sex and obesity status on the response to supplementation was also considered in the analysis. Results Supplementation with the polyphenol extracts and L-citrulline had no impact on mean ambulatory systolic (P &gt; 0.10) and diastolic (P &gt; 0.50) BP. However, the ambulatory systolic BP response was different in men and women (Pinteraction &lt; 0.01 for 24-h BP and daytime BP) but not the diastolic BP. The ambulatory systolic BP after supplementation compared with placebo was significantly reduced in women (24-h BP −3.9 mmHg, P = 0.01; daytime BP −4.4 mmHg, P = 0.005) but not in men (24-h BP + 1.8 mmHg, P = 0.48; daytime BP + 1.8 mmHg, P = 0.55). A trend for a reduction in glycation products was observed after polyphenol and L-citrulline supplementation compared to placebo (P = 0.07) but there was no difference in the concentrations of blood lipids (P &gt; 0.20 for all) or CRP (P = 0.36) between treatments. Conclusions Supplementation with polyphenol extracts/L-citrulline for 6 weeks may reduce ambulatory systolic BP in pre-hypertensive women, but not in men. The present data also indicate that the polyphenols extract/L-citrulline supplement has no impact on blood lipids and CRP in pre-hypertensive men and women. Funding Sources The study was funded by Atrium Innovations. Supplement of polyphenol extracts and L-citrulline as well as placebo were supplied by Pure Encapsulations.

scholarly journals Effects of Daily Wild Blueberry Consumption on Cognitive and Vascular Function in Healthy Older Individuals: A Randomized Double Blind Controlled Trial (the Bluflow Study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 318-318
Author(s):  
Sabine Hein ◽  
Eleanor Wood ◽  
Nimaya Abhayaratne ◽  
Robin Mesnage ◽  
Filipe Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Placebo Group ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Wild Blueberries ◽  
Wild Blueberry

Abstract Objectives To investigate the effects of 12-week daily consumption of wild blueberry (poly)phenols on cognitive performance, vascular function, cerebral blood flow and gut microbiome in healthy older individuals. Methods A parallel, double blind, placebo controlled RCT was conducted in 61 healthy individuals, aged 65–80 years. The impact of wild blueberry (poly)phenols on cognition, vascular function (flow-mediated dilation; FMD, and blood pressure; BP), active and resting cerebral blood flow (CBF; using transcranial doppler ultrasound) was assessed. Measurements were taken at baseline and 12-weeks following daily consumption of 26 g freeze-dried blueberry powder containing 260 mg anthocyanins (equivalent to 178 g fresh wild blueberries) or a placebo powder matched for colour, taste, nutrients and fibre. Faecal samples were collected in both visits to measure changes in the gut microbiome using 16s rRNA sequencing. Blood and 24 h urine samples were also collected for the analysis of plasma and urinary (poly)phenol metabolites using LC-MS and authentic standards. Results Linear mixed modelling analysis with baseline performance as a covariate, revealed that accuracy scores for the switching task targeting executive function, significantly improved for the wild blueberry (WBB) group compared to placebo at 12 weeks (F(1,90,12) = 5.13, P = 0.026)). Additionally, immediate recall measure (AVLT) examining short-term recall memory revealed a significant improvement for the WBB compared to placebo at 12 weeks (F(1,46) = 4.321, P = 0.043)). FMD improved by 0.86% (F(1,54) = 32.8, P &lt; 0.001) in the WBB group compared with the placebo group after 12-weeks daily consumption. Systolic 24 h ambulatory BP decreased by −3.59 mmHg (F(1,51) = 4.6, P = 0.037) in the WBB group compared to the placebo group. No changes in active or resting CBF were observed between groups. Conclusions This data suggests that daily consumption of wild blueberries may improve cognitive and vascular function in older adults. The role of circulating (poly)phenol metabolites and the gut microbiome on the effects observed is currently under investigation. Funding Sources Wild Blueberry Association of North America.

scholarly journals Effects of exercise training with blood flow restriction on vascular function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11554
Author(s):  
Elisio A. Pereira-Neto ◽  
Hayley Lewthwaite ◽  
Terry Boyle ◽  
Kylie Johnston ◽  
Hunter Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Blood Flow Restriction ◽  
Flow Restriction ◽  
Meta Regression

Background Blood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) improves physical fitness, with theorized positive effects on vascular function. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to report (1) the effects of BFRE on vascular function in adults with or without chronic health conditions, and (2) adverse events and adherence reported for BFRE. Methodology Five electronic databases were searched by two researchers independently to identify studies reporting vascular outcomes following BFRE in adults with and without chronic conditions. When sufficient data were provided, meta-analysis and exploratory meta-regression were performed. Results Twenty-six studies were included in the review (total participants n = 472; n = 41 older adults with chronic conditions). Meta-analysis (k = 9 studies) indicated that compared to exercise without blood flow restriction, resistance training with blood flow restriction resulted in significantly greater effects on endothelial function (SMD 0.76; 95% CI [0.36–1.14]). No significant differences were estimated for changes in vascular structure (SMD −0.24; 95% CI [−1.08 to 0.59]). In exploratory meta-regression analyses, several experimental protocol factors (design, exercise modality, exercised limbs, intervention length and number of sets per exercise) were significantly associated with the effect size for endothelial function outcomes. Adverse events in BFRE studies were rarely reported. Conclusion There is limited evidence, predominantly available in healthy young adults, on the effect of BFRE on vascular function. Signals pointing to effect of specific dynamic resistance exercise protocols with blood flow restriction (≥4 weeks with exercises for the upper and lower limbs) on endothelial function warrant further investigation.

Blunted Hyperemic Response to Mental Stress in Young, Non-Hispanic Black Men is not Impacted by Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Akins ◽  
Bryon M. Curtis ◽  
Jordan C. Patik ◽  
Guillermo Olvera ◽  
Aida Nasirian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Forearm Blood Flow ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Dietary Nitrate ◽  
Nitrate Supplementation ◽  
No Bioavailability

Non-Hispanic black individuals have an elevated prevalence of cardiovascular disease in large part, related to impaired vascular function, secondary to reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Nitrate supplementation increases NO bioavailability and improves vascular function. This study tested the hypothesis that forearm blood flow responses in young, non-Hispanic, black (BL) men during mental stress are blunted relative to, non-Hispanic, white (WH) men and that acute dietary nitrate supplementation would improve this response in BL men. This study was comprised of two parts. Phase 1 investigated the blood flow responses between young, BL and WH men whereas Phase 2 investigated the effect of acute nitrate supplementation in a subset of the BL men. Eleven (9 for Phase 2) BL and 8 WH men (23 ± 3 vs. 24 ± 4 y, respectively) participated. During each visit, brachial artery blood flow was assessed during 3 min of mental stress. Phase 1 was completed in one visit, while Phase 2 was completed over two visits separated by ~1-wk. During Phase 2, data were collected before and 2-h post-consumption of a beverage high in nitrate content or nitrate depleted. In Phase 1, peak forearm blood flow (FBF, P < 0.01), total FBF (P < 0.05), and forearm vascular conductance (P < 0.001) were blunted in the BL. During Phase 2, pre-beverage responses were unaffected following beverage consumption (P > 0.05 for all). Young, BL men have blunted microvascular vasodilatory responses to acute mental stress, which may not be altered following acute nitrate supplementation.

Effect of head-out water immersion on vascular function in healthy subjects

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine Ayme ◽  
Olivier Gavarry ◽  
Pascal Rossi ◽  
Anne-Virginie Desruelle ◽  
Jacques Regnard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Brachial Artery ◽  
Natriuretic Peptides ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Water Immersion ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Peripheral Blood Flow ◽  
Cell Reactivity ◽  
Brachial Artery Diameter

Immersion in thermoneutral water increases cardiac output and peripheral blood flow and reduces systemic vascular resistance. This study examined the effects of head-out water immersion on vascular function. Twelve healthy middle-aged males were immersed during 60 min in the seated position, with water at the level of xiphoid. Local and central vascular tone regulating systems were studied during that time. Brachial artery diameter and blood flow were recorded using ultrasonography and Doppler. Endothelial function was assessed with flow-mediated dilation. Results were compared with the same investigations performed under reference conditions in ambient air. During water immersion, brachial artery diameter increased (3.7 ± 0.2 mm in ambient air vs. 4 ± 0.2 mm in water immersion; p < 0.05). Endothelium-mediated dilation was significantly lower in water immersion than in ambient air (10% vs. 15%; p = 0.01). Nevertheless, the difference disappeared when the percentage vasodilatation of the brachial artery was normalized to the shear stimulus. Smooth muscle-mediated dilation was similar in the 2 conditions. Spectral analysis of systolic blood pressure variability indicated a decrease in sympathetic vascular activity. Plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites remained unchanged, whereas levels of natriuretic peptides were significantly elevated. An increase in brachial blood flow, a decrease in sympathetic activity, a warming of the skin, and an increase in natriuretic peptides might be involved in the increase in reference diameter observed during water immersion. Endothelial cell reactivity and smooth muscle function did not appear to be altered.

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