Exercise Protects Against Endothelial Dysfunction During Oral Glucose and High Fat Load

Abstract

The development of atherosclerosis and coronary disease is preceded by endothelial dysfunction which can be improved by chronic exercise. Ingestion of a single high glucose (HG) or high fat (HF) meal impairs endothelial function. We tested the hypothesis that chronic exercise protects against the reduction in flow‐mediated dilation (FMD, index of endothelial function) to a HG or HF meal. Sedentary (SED) subjects and athletes consumed either a HF or HG meal with a 7 day washout between. FMD was assessed before and 180 minutes after the meal (maximal ultrasound brachial diameter after reactive hyperemia). Endothelium‐independent dilation was determined via sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG; 0.4mg). Brachial artery FMD decreased in SED (n=9) following HF (10.3% to 6.7% at 120 minutes; and to 6.8% at 180 minutes; p<0.05 for both) and HG (10.3% to 7.0% at 60 minutes; p<0.05) meals. There was no change in FMD after HF and HG loading in athletes (n=5). NTG responses were similar among groups. We conclude that endothelial function is reduced in sedentary individuals after HG and HF diet. Chronic exercise protects against acute diet‐induced endothelial dysfunction.