Arterial Stiffness Is Unaffected By Acute Hyperglycemia And Menstrual Cycle Phase In Premenopausal Women.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute hyperglycemia results in transient increases in arterial stiffness in healthy males and postmenopausal women. However, research in premenopausal women is lacking and the impact of menstrual phase (early follicular (EF) and late follicular (LF)) on vulnerability to acute hyperglycemia-induced increases in arterial stiffness is unknown. It is hypothesized that increases in arterial stiffness in the EF phase will be attenuated in the LF phase. PURPOSE: To examine the impact of acute hyperglycemia on arterial stiffness in premenopausal women in the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: Seventeen healthy, naturally menstruating women (21±1 years) participated in three experimental visits. During two visits (EFGlucose, LFGlucose), arterial stiffness was assessed via central and peripheral (arm and leg) pulse wave velocity (PWV) before and 15-, 45-, 75-, and 105-minutes after consuming an oral glucose challenge (75g glucose/300mL solution). Blood samples were taken to assess blood glucose (BG), insulin (BI), estrogen, progesterone and blood viscosity levels. During a third visit in the EF phase, participants ingested 300mL of water to act as a time-control for PWV (EFControl). RESULTS: BG and BI levels increased 30 minutes post-glucose ingestion (p < 0.001), with no difference between visits (p = 1.00, p = 0.577, respectively). Both central and peripheral PWV measurements were unchanged across visits and time. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that acute hyperglycemia and menstrual phase do not impact central and peripheral PWV. Premenopausal women may experience protection from acute hyperglycemia-induced increases in arterial stiffness previously observed in men and postmenopausal women. Research supported by: NSERC Discovery Grant & Canadian Graduate Scholarship - Master’s