Acute Effects of a Mixed Meal on Arterial Stiffness and Central Hemodynamics in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Elevated central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness are associated with increased peripheral resistance and higher sympathetic nervous system activity. Additionally, consumption of a meal is known to be sympathoexcitatory. However, the acute effects of a meal on aortic wave reflection and stiffness are unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that aortic wave reflection and stiffness would increase following a meal. We examined these effects using high‐fidelity radial arterial pressure waveforms and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), measured non‐invasively via applanation tonometry, before and 60 and 180 min after ingestion of a liquid mixed meal (Ensure, 40% of daily energy expenditure) in 15 healthy adults (25 ± 2 y; 8M/7F). Both peripheral and central pressures were reduced 180 min from baseline. Yet contrary to our hypothesis, augmentation index (15 ± 4 vs. 2 ± 3 vs. 8 ± 3%), augmentation index normalized for heart rate (9 ± 4 vs. −2 ± 3 vs. 3 ± 3%), augmented pressure (6 ± 2 vs. 1 ± 1 vs. 3 ± 1 mmHg) as well as carotid‐femoral PWV (7.3 ± 0.2 vs. 6.7 ± 0.2 vs. 6.7 ± 0.1 m/s) were substantially reduced at 60 and 180 min following the meal (P < 0.05 for all). Taken together, our results suggest that a liquid mixed meal acutely decreases central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in healthy adults. NIH K23 DK82424 (TC) P30 DK50456 (MNOC) UL1 RR024150 (MCCTSA) HL105467 (DPC)