Muscle sympathetic nerve activity and hemodynamic alterations in middle-aged obese women.

M.M Ribeiro,C.E Negrão,A.C.P Barretto,L.T Batalha,I.C Trombetta,M.U.P.B Rondon,C.L.M Forjaz,S.M.F Villares

doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2001000400006

M.M Ribeiro, C.E Negrão + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x2001000400006

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Abstract

To study the relationship between the sympathetic nerve activity and hemodynamic alterations in obesity, we simultaneously measured muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), blood pressure, and forearm blood flow (FBF) in obese and lean individuals. Fifteen normotensive obese women (BMI = 32.5 +/- 0.5 kg/m2) and 11 age-matched normotensive lean women (BMI = 22.7 +/- 1.0 kg/m2) were studied. MSNA was evaluated directly from the peroneal nerve by microneurography, FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, and blood pressure was measured noninvasively by an autonomic blood pressure cuff. MSNA was significantly increased in obese women when compared with lean control women. Forearm vascular resistance and blood pressure were significantly higher in obese women than in lean women. FBF was significantly lower in obese women. BMI was directly and significantly correlated with MSNA, blood pressure, and forearm vascular resistance levels, but inversely and significantly correlated with FBF levels. Obesity increases sympathetic nerve activity and muscle vascular resistance, and reduces muscle blood flow. These alterations, taken together, may explain the higher blood pressure levels in obese women when compared with lean age-matched women.

Highlights

Obesity is associated with hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and, in consequence, cardiovascular disease [1,2,3,4]
The hyperinsulinemia provoked by insulin resistance increases sympathetic nerve activity, which seems to link obesity to high blood pressure
To our understanding, there is a possibility that the increased sympathetic nerve activity plays a role in the reduced peripheral blood flow in obese individuals

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is associated with hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and, in consequence, cardiovascular disease [1,2,3,4]. The hyperinsulinemia provoked by insulin resistance increases sympathetic nerve activity, which seems to link obesity to high blood pressure. To our understanding, there is a possibility that the increased sympathetic nerve activity plays a role in the reduced peripheral blood flow in obese individuals.

Results

Conclusion