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IMPACT OF AGE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON POSTPRANDIAL VASCULAR RESPONSES

Abstract

Nicholas A. Koemel1, Christina M. Sciarrillo1, Katherine B. Bode1, Madison D. Dixon1, Edralin A. Lucas1, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins1, Sam R. Emerson1 1Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

The consumption of a high-fat meal (HFM) can induce postprandial lipemia (PPL) resulting in endothelial dysfunction. However, there is limited research describing the influence of age and physical activity level on postprandial vascular function. PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to determine the impact of age and physical activity on vascular function before and acutely following HFM consumption in healthy men and women. METHODS: We recruited 4 groups of adults: younger active (YA; age 22.1 ± 1.4 y; n = 9), younger inactive (YI; age 22.6 ± 3.7 y; n = 8), older active (OA; age 68.4 ± 7.7 y; n = 8), and older inactive (OI; age 67.7 ± 7.2 y; n = 7). Following a 10hr overnight fast and 2 days of exercise avoidance, vascular function was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery at baseline (BL), 2 hr, and 4 hr after consumption of a HFM (12 kcal/kg; 63% fat, 34% carbohydrate). To determine FMD, a wrist cuff was inflated to50 mmHg greater than the participant's systolic blood pressure for 4 minutes and then released inducing a hyperemic dilatory response. RESULTS: A one-way ANOVA revealed BL group differences (p= 0.002) in FMD (YA = 6.36 ± 1.70%; YI = 3.98 ± 1.67%, OA = 4.82 ± 1.27%, OI = 3.27 ± 1.33%), with YA exhibiting significantly greater FMD than YI (p = 0.02) and OI (p = 0.002). There was not a significant group effect (p = 0.06) or interaction (p = 0.08) in a two-way ANOVA, but there was a significant time effect (p = 0.008). Across groups, FMD decreased significantly from BL to 4 hr after the meal (Mean diff: 1.19%; 95% CI: 0.27 to 2.11). However, FMD was not significantly different comparing BL vs 2 hr (p = 0.06) or 2 hr vs 4 hr (p = 0.73). CONCLUSION: In this study, younger active individuals demonstrated the highest FMD in the fasted state. However, all groups exhibited impaired vascular function 4 hr after the HFM consumption relative to fasting. Future studies are needed to better understand the mechanism and time course of HFM-induced vascular impairment, as well as potential lifestyle factors that modify this response.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: This study was funded by the College of Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University.

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