Effects of walnuts consumption on vascular endothelial function in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Vascular endothelial dysfunction, an important contributor in the development of CVD, improves with exercise training in patients with CVD. However, the role of regular exercise to improve vascular function in cancer survivors remains equivocal. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the effect of exercise training on vascular endothelial function in cancer survivors. We searched PubMed (1975 to 2016), EMBASE CINAHL (1937 to 2016), OVID MEDLINE (1948 to 2016), and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (1991 to 2016) using search terms: vascular function, endothelial function, flow-mediated dilation [FMD], reactive hyperemia, exercise, and cancer. Studies selected were randomized controlled trials of exercise training on vascular endothelial function in cancer survivors. We calculated pooled effect sizes and performed a meta-analysis. We identified 4 randomized controlled trials (breast cancer, n=2; prostate cancer, n=2) measuring vascular endothelial function by FMD (n=3) or reactive hyperemia index (n=1), including 163 cancer survivors (exercise training, n=82; control, n=81). Aerobic exercise training improved vascular function (n=4 studies; standardized mean difference [95% CI]=0.65 [0.33, 0.96], I2=0%; FMD, weighted mean difference [WMD]=1.28 [0.22, 2.34], I2=23.2%) and peak exercise oxygen uptake (3 trials; WMD [95% CI]=2.22 [0.83, 3.61] mL/kg/min; I2=0%). Our findings indicate that exercise training improves vascular endothelial function and exercise capacity in breast and prostate cancer survivors.

Download Full-text

Allopurinol and endothelial function: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Cardiovascular Therapeutics ◽

10.1111/1755-5922.12432 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. e12432 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Manal M. Alem

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled

Download Full-text

Mediterranean Diet Increases Endothelial Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Journal of Nutrition ◽

10.1093/jn/nxaa002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 150 (5) ◽

pp. 1151-1159 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Oliver M Shannon ◽

Inês Mendes ◽

Christina Köchl ◽

Mohsen Mazidi ◽

Ammar W Ashor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Health Status ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Study Design ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Study Duration

ABSTRACT Background The endothelium plays a key role in the maintenance of vascular health and represents a potential physiological target for dietary and other lifestyle interventions designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including stroke or coronary heart disease. Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MedDiet) on endothelial function. Methods Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched from inception until January 2019 for studies that met the following criteria: 1) RCTs including adult participants, 2) interventions promoting the MedDiet, 3) inclusion of a control group, and 4) measurements of endothelial function. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted. Metaregression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify whether effects were modified by health status (i.e., healthy participants versus participants with existing comorbidities), type of intervention (i.e., MedDiet alone or with a cointervention), study duration, study design (i.e., parallel or crossover), BMI, and age of participants. Results Fourteen articles reporting data for 1930 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Study duration ranged from 4 wk to 2.3 y. We observed a beneficial effect of the MedDiet on endothelial function [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.35; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.53; P <0.001; I2 = 73.68%]. MedDiet interventions improved flow-mediated dilation (FMD)—the reference method for noninvasive, clinical measurement of endothelial function—by 1.66% (absolute change; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.17; P <0.001; I2 = 0%). Effects of the MedDiet on endothelial function were not modified by health status, type of intervention, study duration, study design, BMI, or age of participants (P >0.05). Conclusions MedDiet interventions improve endothelial function in adults, suggesting that the protective effects of the MedDiet are evident at early stages of the atherosclerotic process with important implications for the early prevention of CVD. This study has the PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018106188.

Download Full-text

The Efficacy of Stretching Exercises on Arterial Stiffness in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Non-Randomized Controlled Trials

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165643 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5643 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michitaka Kato ◽

Fumi Nihei Green ◽

Kazuki Hotta ◽

Toshiya Tsukamoto ◽

Yasunari Kurita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Vascular Endothelial Function ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Stretching Exercises

Background: Aerobic exercise is known to reduce arterial stiffness; however, high-intensity resistance exercise is associated with increased arterial stiffness. Stretching exercises are another exercise modality, and their effect on arterial stiffness remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stretching exercises reduce arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults, performing the first meta-analysis of currently available studies. Methods: We searched the literature for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs published up to January 2020 describing middle-aged and older adults who participated in a stretching intervention vs. controls without exercise training. The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in arterial stiffness and vascular endothelial function and hemodynamic status. Pooled mean differences (MDs) and standard MDs (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between the intervention and control groups were calculated using a random effects model. Results: We identified 69 trials and, after an assessment of relevance, eight trials, including a combined total of 213 subjects, were analyzed. Muscle stretching exercises were shown to significantly reduce arterial stiffness and improve vascular endothelial function (SMD: −1.00, 95% CI: −1.57 to −0.44, p = 0.0004; SMD: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.26 to 2.03, p = 0.01, respectively). Resting heart rate (HR) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased significantly after stretching exercise intervention (MD: −0.95 beats/min, 95% CI: −1.67 to −0.23 beats/min, p = 0.009; MD: −2.72 mm Hg, 95% CI: −4.01 to −1.43 mm Hg, p < 0.0001, respectively) Conclusions: Our analyses suggest that stretching exercises reduce arterial stiffness, HR, and DBP, and improve vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults.

Download Full-text