Watermelon supplementation reduces aortic hemodynamic responses to cold exposure in obese hypertensive adults (249.4)

Abstract

Cold‐induced increase in aortic blood pressure (BP) may cause cardiac complications in adults with hypertension by increasing wave reflection and left ventricular afterload (augmentation pressure [AP] and index [AIx]). The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of L‐citrulline‐rich watermelon supplementation on aortic hemodynamic responses to cold pressor test (CPT) in hypertensive adults. Brachial (bSBP) and aortic systolic BP (aSBP), AP, AIx, AIx adjusted to 75 beats/min (AIx@75), and systolic tension time index (STI, myocardial oxygen demand) at baseline, during CPT, and magnitude of the response from baseline‐to‐CPT were evaluated in 13 adults with hypertension (10 women; age 57 ± 1 yr, bSBP 151 ± 5 mmHg). Participants were randomized to a 6‐week placebo or watermelon supplementation in a crossover design. Watermelon reduced (P< 0.05) bSBP and aSBP at baseline and during CPT, but did not affect the increases from baseline‐to‐CPT. Watermelon did not affect AP, AIx, AIx@75, and STI at baseline, but decreased (P< 0.05) AP and STI during CPT and the increases in AP (~5 mmHg) and AIx@75 (~7.3%) from baseline‐to‐CPT. Our findings indicate that watermelon supplementation reduces aortic SBP, pressure wave reflection, and myocardial oxygen demand during CPT in obese hypertensive adults. Watermelon supplementation may provide cardioprotection by attenuating cold‐induced aortic hemodynamic responses.Grant Funding Source: National Watermelon Promotional Board