The Association between Exposure to Residential Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Measures of Central Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Middle-Aged Men and Women

It is well reported that individuals spend up to 90% of their daily time indoors, with between 60% to 90% of this time being spent in the home. Using a cross-sectional study design in a population of 111 healthy adults (mean age: 52.3 ± 9.9 years; 65% women), we investigated the association between exposure to total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor residential environments and measures of central arterial stiffness, known to be related to cardiovascular risk. Indoor VOC concentrations were measured along with ambulatory measures of pulse pressure (cPP), augmentation index (cAIx) and cAIx normalized for heart rate (cAIx75), over a continuous 24-h period. Pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was determined during clinical assessment. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between measures of arterial stiffness and VOCs after adjusting for covariates. Higher 24-h, daytime and night-time cAIx was associated with an interquartile range increase in VOCs. Similar effects were shown with cAIx75. No significant effects were observed between exposure to VOCs and cPP or cfPWV. After stratifying for sex and age (≤50 years; >50 years), effect estimates were observed to be greater and significant for 24-h and daytime cAIx in men, when compared to women. No significant effect differences were seen between age groups with any measure of arterial stiffness. In this study, we demonstrated that residential indoor VOCs exposure was adversely associated with some measures of central arterial stiffness, and effects were different between men and women. Although mechanistic pathways remain unclear, these findings provide a possible link between domestic VOCs exposure and unfavourable impacts on individual-level cardiovascular disease risk.

Sex features of cutaneous microvasculature in healthy working-age people

Aim. To study sex characteristics of cutaneous microvascular structure and function in a cohort of healthy working-age people without cardiovascular diseases.Material and methods. The study included 35 healthy men (42±4 years) and 34 women (41 ±5 years). The cardiovascular system was assessed in all patients. The microcirculatory bed of the skin was investigated by the following non-invasive methods: 1) computerized video capillaroscopy; 2) laser Doppler flowmetry; 3) photoplethysmography.Results. According to computerized video capillaroscopy in men, compared with women, there was a smaller number of both functioning capillaries (78 vs 86 capillaries/mm2, respectively (p<0,05)) and their total number (100 vs 120 capillaries/mm2, respectively (p<0,001)). Against the background of a decrease in capillary density in men, there was a higher skin interstitial hydration — 113 vs 96 gm (p<0,005) in men than in women. At the level of precapillary arterioles, where humoral tone regulation prevails. Laser Doppler flowmetry revealed lower pulse amplitude in men than in women — 0,87 vs 1,02 pf, respectively (p<0,05), which indicates a lower arterial blood inflow to exchange microvessels. Against this background, the constrictor response of precapillary arterioles to a sympathetic nervous system stimulation in men is higher than in women — 45% vs 40%, respectively (p<0,05). At the level of large arterioles, where neural tone regulation prevails, photoplethysmography revealed lower augmentation index standardized at a heart rate in men (-4,6 vs 1,7%, respectively, p<0,05), which indicates lower rigidity of muscular vessels in men.Conclusion. In working-age healthy people, sex differences are noted at all cutaneous microvascular levels, which must be taken into account when planning studies.

ABBaH teens: Activity Breaks for Brain Health in adolescents: study protocol for a randomized crossover trial

Background Physical activity breaks are widely being implemented in school settings as a solution to increase academic performance and reduce sitting time. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms suggested to improve cognitive function from physical activity and the frequency, intensity, and duration of the breaks remain unknown. This study will investigate the effects of frequent, short physical activity breaks during prolonged sitting on task-related prefrontal cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and psychological factors. Additionally, the moderating and mediating effects of arterial stiffness on changes in cerebral blood flow will be tested. Methods This is a protocol for a randomized crossover study that will recruit 16 adolescents (13–14 years old). Participants will undergo three different conditions in a randomized order, on three separate days, involving sitting 80 min with a different type of break every 17 min for 3 min. The breaks will consist of (1) seated social breaks, (2) simple resistance activities, and (3) step-up activities. Before and after the 80-min conditions, prefrontal cerebral blood flow changes will be measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (primary outcome), while performing working memory tasks (1-, 2-, and 3-back tests). Arterial stiffness (augmentation index and pulse wave velocity) and psychological factors will also be assessed pre and post the 80-min interventions. Discussion Publication of this protocol will help to increase rigor in science. The results will inform regarding the underlying mechanisms driving the association between physical activity breaks and cognitive performance. This information can be used for designing effective and feasible interventions to be implemented in schools. Trial registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04552626. Retrospectively registered on September 21, 2020.

Predictors of arterial stiffness in adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionIndividuals with type 1 diabetes have increased arterial stiffness compared with age-matched healthy controls. Our aim was to determine which hemodynamic and demographic factors predict arterial stiffness in this population.Research design and methodsCarotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was examined in 41 young adults and adolescents with type 1 diabetes without microvascular complications. Two ordinary least squares regression analyses were performed to determine multivariate relationships between cfPWV (loge) and (1) age, duration of diabetes, sex, and hemoglobin A1c and (2) augmentation index (AIx), mean arterial pressure, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and heart rate. We also examined differences in macrovascular outcome measures between sexes.ResultsAge, sex, and FMD provided unique predictive information about cfPWV in these participants with type 1 diabetes. Despite having similar cardiovascular risk factors, men had higher cfPWV compared with women but no differences were observed in other macrovascular outcomes (including FMD and AIx).ConclusionsOnly age, sex, and FMD were uniquely associated with arterial stiffness in adolescents and adults with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes. Women had less arterial stiffness and similar nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function compared with men. Larger, prospective investigation is warranted to determine the temporal order of and sex differences in arterial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes.

192 Study of endothelial function and vascular stiffness in patients affected by dilated cardiomyopathy on treatment with sacubitril/valsartan

Aims It has already been demonstrated the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but many of its properties are still unknown especially regarding its effects on endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Methods and results To this purpose, a longitudinal study involving 15 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was started; the purpose was collecting at the beginning and at the end of the study blood pressure measurements, transthoracic echocardiography images, parameters of endothelial function with peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT®), and non-invasive evaluation of the aortic stiffness parameters by using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor® Px system). Aortic stiffness parameters weren’t different at 6 months, compared to baseline. There was a slight, not significant increase in augmentation pressure (P = 0.889), augmentation index (P = 0.906), and sphygmic wave velocity (P = 0.263). Systolic, diastolic, and differential central arterial pressure didn’t change. RHI (reactive hyperaemia index) increased significantly after 6 months (P = 0.001) as well as augmentation index corrected for 75 b.p.m. Ejection fraction (32.21% ± 5.7 to 38.43% ± 8.4; P = 0.010) and diastolic dysfunction degree (P = 0.021) improved significantly. Mitral regurgitation improvement wasn’t statistically significant (P = 0.116). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion didn’t change while pulmonary systolic arterial pressure increased, although not significantly (22.83 mmHg ± 4 to 27.33 mmHg ± 6; P = 0.068) and within the normal range values. Conclusions Sacubitril/valsartan can improve endothelial function significantly in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced LVEF. It can also improve left ventricular function, mitral regurgitation, and diastolic function. Conversely, this drug seems to have no effects on vascular stiffness.

Relation between Oscillometric Measurement of Central Hemodynamics and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The augmentation index (AIx) or central systolic blood pressure (SBP), measured by radial applanation tonometry, has been reported to be independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in Japanese hypertensive patients. Cuff-based oscillometric measurement of the AIx using Mobil-O-Graph® showed a low or moderate agreement with the AIx measurement with other devices. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The AIx measured using the Mobil-O-Graph was validated against the tonometric measurements of the radial AIx measured using HEM-9000AI in 110 normotensive healthy individuals (age, 21–76 years; 50 men). We investigated the relationship between the central hemodynamics assessed using the Mobil-O-Graph and LVH in 100 hypertensive patients (age, 54–75 years; 48 men), presenting a wall thickness of ≥11 mm and ≥10 mm in men and women, respectively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Although the Mobil-O-Graph-measured central AIx showed no negative values, it correlated moderately with the HEM-9000AI-measured radial AIx (<i>r</i> = 0.602, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) in the normotensive individuals. The hypertensive patients did not show a significant difference in the central SBP between the sexes, but the central AIx was lower in men than in women. The independent determinants influencing left ventricle (LV) mass index (LVMI) (<i>R</i>² = 0.362; adjusted <i>R</i>² = 0.329, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) were heart rate (β = −0.568 ± 0.149, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), central SBP (β = 0.290 ± 0.100, <i>p</i> = 0.005), and aortic root diameter (β = 1.355 ± 0.344, <i>p</i> = 0.001). Age (β = −0.025 ± 0.124, <i>p</i> = 0.841) and the central AIx (β = 0.120 ± 0.131, <i>p</i> = 0.361) were not independently associated with the LVMI. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the central AIx for the presence of LVH (LVMI &#x3e;118 g/m² in men or &#x3e;108 g/m² in women) was statistically significant in men (0.875, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) but not in women (0.622, <i>p</i> = 0.132). In men, a central AIx of 28.06% had a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 80.0% for detecting LVH. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> AIx measurement in men provided useful prognostic information for the presence of LVH. Pulse-wave analysis assessed using the Mobil-O-Graph may be a valuable tool for detecting LVH in hypertensive patients.

Antihypertensive Treatment and Central Arterial Hemodynamics: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Antihypertensive treatment may have different effects on central arterial hemodynamics. The extent of the difference in effects between various antihypertensive drugs remains undefined.Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that explored the effects of antihypertensive agents on both central and peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP) or central augmentation index, with a special focus on the comparison between newer [renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs)] and older antihypertensive agents (diuretics and β- and α-blockers).Results: In total, 20 studies (n = 2,498) were included. Compared with diuretics (10 studies), β-blockers (16 studies), or an α-blocker (1 study), RAS inhibitors (21 studies), and CCBs (6 studies) more efficaciously (P &lt; 0.001) reduced both central and peripheral SBP by a weighted mean difference of −5.63 (−6.50 to −4.76 mmHg) and −1.97 mmHg (−2.99 to −0.95 mmHg), respectively. Compared with older agents, the newer agents also more efficaciously (P &lt; 0.001) reduced central PP (−3.27 mmHg; −4.95 to −1.59 mmHg), augmentation index (−6.11%; −7.94 to −4.29) and augmentation (−3.35 mmHg; −5.28 to –1.42 mmHg) but not peripheral PP (p ≥ 0.09). Accordingly, the newer agents reduced central-to-peripheral PP amplification significantly less than the older agents (0.11 mmHg; 0.05 to 0.17 mmHg; P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: Newer agents, such as RAS inhibitors and CCBs, were significantly more efficacious than older agents in their effects on central hemodynamics.

Effect of Aquatic Exercise Training on Aortic Hemodynamics in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults

Aquatic exercise is an attractive form of exercise that utilizes the various properties of water to improve physical health, including arterial stiffness. However, it is unclear whether regular head-out aquatic exercise affects aortic hemodynamics, the emerging risk factors for future cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether head-out aquatic exercise training improves aortic hemodynamics in middle-aged and elderly people. In addition, to shed light on the underlying mechanisms, we determined the contribution of change in arterial stiffness to the hypothesized changes in aortic hemodynamics. Twenty-three middle-aged and elderly subjects (62 ± 9 years) underwent a weekly aquatic exercise course for 15 weeks. Aortic hemodynamics were evaluated by pulse wave analysis via the general transfer function method. Using a polar coordinate description, companion metrics of aortic pulse pressure (PPC = √{(systolic blood pressure)2 + (diastolic blood pressure)2}) and augmentation index (AIxC = √{(augmentation pressure)2 + (pulse pressure)2}) were calculated as measures of arterial load. Brachial-ankle (baPWV, reflecting stiffness of the abdominal aorta and leg artery) and heart-ankle (haPWV, reflecting stiffness of the whole aortic and leg artery) pulse wave velocities were also measured. The rate of participation in the aquatic training program was 83.5 ± 13.0%. Aortic systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, PPC, AIxC, baPWV, and haPWV decreased after the training (P &lt; 0.05 for all), whereas augmentation index remained unchanged. Changes in aortic SBP were correlated with changes in haPWV (r = 0.613, P = 0.002) but not baPWV (r = 0.296, P = 0.170). These findings suggest that head-out aquatic exercise training may improve aortic hemodynamics in middle-aged and elderly people, with the particular benefits for reducing aortic SBP which is associated with proximal aortic stiffness.