Normotensive Postmenopausal Women Research Articles

Central and peripheral cardiovascular responses after acute dietary nitrate supplementation in post-menopausal women

The transition to menopause is accompanied by augmented cardiovascular disease risk, partially attributed to reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Despite a lower arterial stiffness than men, postmenopausal women are susceptible to increased aortic pulsatile hemodynamic load because of greater pressure wave reflection and vascular dysfunction. Increasing bioavailable NO with dietary nitrate has shown promise to reduce aortic (aSBP) and brachial (bSBP) systolic pressure healthy postmenopausal women. However, there are limited reports comparing hypertensive (HTN) and normotensive (NTN) postmenopausal women regarding wave separation analysis and vascular function following dietary nitrate supplementation. This study investigated if acute dietary nitrate supplementation would improve aortic hemodynamics, wave reflection characteristics, vascular stiffness, and vasodilatory function. We hypothesized that dietary nitrate would lower pulse wave velocity in hypertensives, lower aortic and brachial blood pressures and forward and backward wave magnitude and increase microvascular, but not macrovascular function in both groups. Fourteen postmenopausal women (n=7 HTN; n=7 NTN) participated in a two-day randomized crossover study design with dietary nitrate (nitrate rich, NR) or a placebo control (NP). Central and peripheral hemodynamics and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were performed with a SphygmoCOR Excel, simultaneous resting macro- and- microvascular function was assessed using flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and post occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) using near-infrared spectroscopy. aSBP was reduced significantly following NR supplement within groups (HTN: NP 126±2 NR 120±1mmHg) and NTN group (NP 110± 1 NR 104±3mmHg p<0.05). Forward pulse height HTN (NP 29±1.4 NR 26.3±1.4mmHg) NTN (NP 25.6±0.9 NR 24±2.7mmHg) and reflected pulse height HTN (NP 18.2±0.08 NR 17.2±0.4mmHg) NTN (NP 17.7±0.2 NR 15.7±1.07mmHg) were not different. cfPWV was faster in the HTN group and slowed with a NR supplement (HTN: NP 8.2±0.29 NR 7.4±0.31m/s; NTN NP 7.1±0.23 NR 6.6±0.62m/s p<0.05). A significant interaction for %FMD was found (HTN: NP 7.3±0.8 NR 6.2±0.8%; NTN NP 6.6±0.7 NR 9.4±0.7%). Further, we found no difference in the NIRS derived microvascular function measurements (HTN: NP 1.9±0.2 NR 1.7±0.3%/s; NTN NP 1.6±0.1 NR 1.4±0.2%/s p>0.05). These data indicate that dietary nitrate consumption led to a substantial reduction in aortic hemodynamics and reduced pulse wave velocity regardless of hypertension status. Interestingly, macrovascular, but not microvascular vasodilatory function was improved in the NTN women only. Dietary nitrate supplementation appears to have differential effects when considering HTN and NTN postmenopausal women. Supported with funds from The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse RSEL graduate grant. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Impact Of Age On Aortic Pressure And Pressure Waves Responses To Metaboreflex Activation In Women

INTRODUCTION: Aging and hypertension are related to exaggerated peripheral blood pressure (BP) responses to exercise and metaboreflex activation (post-exercise muscle ischemia, PEMI). Postmenopausal (POST) women have greater risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction due to increased aortic pulsatile load on the left ventricle induced by increased systolic BP (SBP) and decreased diastolic BP (DBP) at rest. Age-related aortic stiffening augments pressures of the forward (Pf) and the reflected wave (Pb) traveling from peripheral arteries to the aorta. Increases in Pf and Pb contribute to elevated aortic SBP and pulse pressure (PP) responses to exercise, increasing the risk for cardiovascular events. However, the influence of Pf and Pb on aortic pulsatile load during isometric handgrip (IHG) and PEMI in normotensive premenopausal (PRE) and POST women have not been examined. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of age on aortic BP, Pf, and Pb during IHG and PEMI in normotensive PRE and POST women. METHODS: Fifteen PRE (age: 24 ± 1 years) and 16 POST women (age: 59 ± 1 years) participated in this study. Brachial BP was obtained using an automated device and radial arterial tonometry was used to capture aortic waveforms to estimate aortic BP and pressure waves at rest, during a 2-min IHG at 30% of maximal force, and during a 3-min PEMI. RESULTS: BP responses to IHG were similar in both groups. Brachial PP (POST: Δ9 ± 1 mmHg vs PRE: Δ0 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.01), aortic PP (POST: Δ8 ± 1 mmHg vs PRE: Δ3 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.03), Pf (POST: Δ6 ± 1 mmHg vs PRE: Δ0 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.01), and Pb (POST: Δ5 ± 1 mmHg vs PRE: Δ2 ± 1 mmHg, P = 0.02) responses to PEMI were significantly increased in POST compared to PRE women. Aortic DBP (POST: Δ6 ± 1 mmHg vs PRE: Δ11 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.04) responses to PEMI was significantly lower in POST than PRE women. Brachial and aortic SBP significantly (P < 0.001) increased during PEMI in both PRE and POST women, but there was no difference (P > 0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Normotensive POST women have augmented aortic PP response to PEMI compared to PRE women due to increases in pressure of the forward and backward waves and a decrease in DBP. Our findings suggest that the age-related increase in muscle metaboreflex activation does not induce a systolic overload and the increase in aortic PP is attributed to reduced DBP in normotensive POST women.

Mat Pilates training reduces blood pressure in both well-controlled hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women: a controlled clinical trial study

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study was to compare the Mat Pilates training-induced responses in resting and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), blood pressure variability (BPV), and heart rate variability (HRV) in well-controlled hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. Methods Forty-seven postmenopausal women were allocated in well-controlled hypertensive (HT) and normotensive (NT) groups. The exercise program was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention resting, blood pressure (BP), ABPM, HRV, and BPV were analyzed. Results Student’s t-test showed no difference in baseline anthropometric and resting BP values between groups. The generalized estimation equation (GEE) showed no interactions (group*time), but time (p < .05) reductions in resting systolic, diastolic and mean BP after training in both groups. Sleep ambulatory systolic, diastolic and mean BP were higher overall in the HT group (p < .05 in group effect). We also found a time effect (p < .05) with significant increases in BPV in the mean diurnal and nocturnal deviations weighted for the duration of the daytime and nighttime interval (SDdn) in systolic, diastolic and mean BP, and in the average real variability (ARV) in diastolic and mean in both groups. In addition, HRV increases (p < .05 in time effect) through the percentage of pairs of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of at least 50 ms (pNN50) after training in both groups. Conclusion Both normotensive and well-controlled hypertensive postmenopausal women may have similar Mat Pilates exercise training-induced responses in ambulatory BP, BPV and HRV.

Comparison of Mat Pilates training-induced changes on climateric symptoms in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women

IntroductionPhysical exercise has been used to improve the physiological, metabolic and psychological factors of women. Objective: the aim of this study was to compare the 12-week Mat Pilates training-induced effect on climacteric symptoms in hypertensive and normotensive, non-obese postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty-seven irregularly active, non-obese postmenopausal women participated in the study: 24 normotensive (58 ± 4 years) and 23 hypertensive (58 ± 4 years). They underwent 36 sessions of Mat Pilates in nonconsecutive days during 12 weeks. Climacteric symptoms were assessed by the Cervantes Scale (CER), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and Blatt-Kupperman Menopause Index (B–K). The unpaired t-test compared the clinical characteristics between the groups. For the analysis of the questionnaires, the Spearman correlation and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the means between the groups for non-parametric data. The generalized estimates equation (GEE) was used to compare the groups and time to score the three general and domain questionnaires. The significance level adopted was ɑ = 0.05. Results: No difference in the Mat Pilates training-induced changes were found between normotensive and hypertensive women, but there was a significant reduction in the scores of the B–K and MRS and in the percentage of disappearance of symptoms by the B–K after training in both groups. Regarding the CER, there was a reduction in symptoms in the total value and the psychological, menopause and health domains. Conclusion: The presence of hypertension did not change the 12-week Mat Pilates training-induced benefits on the climacteric symptoms of non-obese postmenopausal women.

Sex differences in aortic hemodynamics and associations with white matter hyperintensities in middle‐aged and older adults

Elevated blood pressure (BP) in midlife increases the risk of developing white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in the brain. WMH are associated with increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Structural changes of the large central arteries occur prior to changes in brachial BP. We have previously reported positive associations between aortic hemodynamics and WMH in normotensive postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences in aortic hemodynamics and associations with WMH burden in middle‐aged and older adults. Ninety‐nine participants (age = 63 ± 4y), including n = 35 men and n = 64 postmenopausal women participated in this study. Aortic hemodynamics were derived from radial artery pressure waveforms measured using applanation tonometry. Aortic systolic blood pressure (aSBP), aortic diastolic blood pressure (aDBP), augmented pressure (AP), aortic augmentation index (AIx), and aortic transit time were calculated. WMH lesion volume and intracranial volume (ICV) were measured using a FLAIR and T1 scan on a 3T MRI scanner, respectively. WMH fraction was calculated as (WMH lesion volume/ICV)*100 and cubic root transformed to reduce skewness. Age‐adjusted multiple linear regressions were used to determine the influence of aortic hemodynamics on WMH fraction. There were no sex differences in aSBP or aDBP. AP was greater in women compared with men (16 ± 5 mmHg vs. 11 ± 5 mmHg; P &lt; 0.001). AIx was also greater in women compared with men (28 ± 6 % vs. 18 ± 9 %; P &lt; 0.001). Aortic transit time was lower in women compared with men (140 ± 11 ms vs. 151 ± 12 ms; P &lt; 0.001). There were no sex differences in WMH fraction. There was a positive association between aSBP and WMH fraction in both men (r = 0.37, P = 0.015) and women (r = 0.36, P = 0.017). In addition, aDBP was positively associated with WMH fraction in men (r = 0.47, P = 0.003) and women (r = 0.36, P = 0.017). AP was positively associated with WMH fraction in men (r = 0.34, P = 0.027), but not women (r = 0.24, P = 0.296). AIx was positively associated with WMH fraction in men (r = 0.46, P = 0.004), but not women (r = 0.22, P = 0.570). There were no significant associations between aortic transit time and WMH fraction. In conclusion, AP and AIx were greater in women compared with men. The positive associations between AP and WMH fraction and AIx and WMH fraction were only apparent in men. These findings suggest a sex‐specific association between augmented pressure and augmentation index and WMH burden in middle‐aged and older adults.

Mat Pilates training and blood pressure reactivity responses to psychological stress: comparison between normotensive and hypertensive postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study is to compare resting blood pressure and blood pressure reactivity responses to psychological stress in normotensive and hypertensive postmenopausal women after 12 weeks of Mat Pilates training. Twenty-three hypertensive and 24 normotensive postmenopausal women, performed Mat Pilates training 3× a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, resting blood pressure, heart rate, and blood pressure reactivity to psychological stress through the electronic version of Stroop test protocol (3 minutes) were measured. We calculated the variation (Δ) of blood pressure (peak of blood pressure during the Stroop stress test minus resting blood pressure before test). The two-way ANOVA showed that the Δ of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and the mean blood pressure was reduced ( P < 0.05) after training only in the hypertensive. The resting systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures decreased by ( P < 0.05) over time in both groups with no interaction or difference. Mat Pilates was able to reduce resting blood pressure in both hypertensive and normotensive, and blood pressure reactivity after psychological stress in hypertensive but not in normotensive postmenopausal women.

Effects of combined exercise on salivary oxidative stress in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women

Aim: This study evaluated the effects of 10 weeks of combined exercise training on the salivary oxidative profile of hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. Methods: Twenty-six non-obese postmenopausal women were divided into two groups: the hypertensive group (HT; n = 13; 58.9 ± 3.9 years; and BMI of 27.7 ± 4.6 kg/m2) or the normotensive group (NT; n = 13; 52.7 ± 5.2 years; and BMI of 26.9 ± 2.9 kg/m2). They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises over 10 weeks: 45 min per session, three times a week. Resting saliva samples were collected after an overnight fast to evaluate salivary nitrite levels and oxidative stress markers before and after training. Results: Two-way ANOVA showed that there was no difference in the responses over time between the hypertensive and normotensive groups in catalase, superoxide dismutase salivary activity, total antioxidant capacity, or lipid peroxidation. However, superoxide dismutase activity (δHT -0.87 ± 14.53 SOD/mg protein; δNT: 7.13 ± 9.39 SOD/mg protein; p < 0.01) and nitrite levels (δHT 10.32 ± 60.83 mM; δNT 101.92 ± 149.57 mM; p = 0.03) were higher overall in the hypertensive group compared to the normotensive group. Moreover, salivary nitrite levels increased over time (p = 0.04) in both groups. Conclusion: 10 weeks of combined exercise training did not change salivary oxidative stress markers in either normotensive or hypertensive postmenopausal women, although, after exercise training, nitrite levels increased in both groups, even with higher baseline salivary nitrite levels in hypertensive women. Thus, recurrent exercise seems to be a safe strategy after menopause from the standpoint of oxidative stress, regardless of the presence of hypertension.

Efeito agudo do Mat Pilates sobre a variabilidade da pressão arterial ambulatorial em mulheres após a menopausa

Introdução: Após a menopausa mulheres tem maior risco de desenvolver doenças cardiovasculares. A prática de exercício físico é um dos tratamentos para e redução da incidência dessas doenças, e o método Pilates consiste em um programa completo de condicionamento físico. Objetivos: Verificar as respostas da Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial (MAPA) e da Variabilidade da Pressão Arterial após uma única sessão de Mat Pilates em mulheres após a menopausa não obesas. Métodos: Este é um estudo cruzado randomizado com 15 mulheres pós-menopáusicas normotensas, que participaram de uma única sessão de Mat Pilates e de uma sessão de controle. A sessão de Pilates durou 50 minutos, com 5 minutos de aquecimento. Em cada exercício, houve 1 série de 10 repetições com 45 segundos de descanso entre as séries. A sessão controle teve a mesma duração, mas as voluntárias permaneciam sentadas. A MAPA foi avaliada durante 24 horas após a intervenção. Estatística: Utilizou-se ANOVA de dois fatores com post hoc de Newman-Keuls para análise das variáveis da MAPA e teste t de Student para análise da variabilidade de pressão arterial. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa (p &lt;0,05) nas respostas da pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica durante 24h, vigília e sono ou em sua variabilidade entre as sessões de Pilates e Controle. Conclusão: O Mat Pilates não reduziu os valores pressóricos da MAPA ou sua variabilidade em mulheres após a menopausa não obesas.

Association between Bone Mineral Density and Hypertension in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a common disorder in the elderly and found to be most prevalent in postmenopausal women which are thought to be associated with several factors including hypertension, however, results are inconsistent in different studies.&#x0D; Aim of the study: This study aimed to explore the association between BMD and hypertension in postmenopausal women.&#x0D; Methods and materials: In this study, total 76 postmenopausal women were included. BMD was determined at the lumbar spine and femoral neck by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Anthropometric data and status of hypertension and diabetes were collected according to a pre-structured questioner.&#x0D; Results: Age (mean±SD) of the postmenopausal women was 57±9 years. Among them, 46 (60.5%) subjects were hypertensive and 30 (39.5%) were normotensive. Bone mineral density (g/cm2) in normotensive women and in hypertensive women were 0.79±0.15 vs 0.74±0.15 (p=0.160) at lumbar spine; 0.70±0.12 vs 0.69±0.13 (p=0.271) at right femoral neck and 0.73±0.15 vs 0.71±0.13 (p=0.592), respectively. T-scores at lumbar spine, right and left femoral neck in normotensive and hypertensive postmenopausal women were -2.28±1.37 vs -2.75±1.35 (p=0.153), -1.70±1.16 vs -1.95±1.07 (p=0.363) and -1.82±0.95 vs -1.93±1.01 (p=0.632) respectively. On multiple regression analysis, BMD and T-score only at lumbar spine showed inverse association with hypertension (β=-0.069, p=0.045; β=-0.612, p=0.050) on adjusting confounding variables.&#x0D; Conclusion: Hypertension is independently associated with BMD and T-score measured from the lumbar spine but not with BMD and T-score measured from the femoral neck in postmenopausal women.

Impact of Endothelin on Vascular Function in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women

Endothelin-1 contributes to vascular dysfunction in hypertensive adults through the endothelin-A receptor (ETAR). However, our laboratory has recently shown an important role for the ETB receptor (ETBR) in regulating vascular function in women. We tested the hypothesis that hypertension is associated with a decline in ETBR function in postmenopausal women (PMW), and that this decline can be attenuated by anti-hypertensive medication. We recruited normotensive PMW (NT; n=9, age: 60±4 yrs, BMI: 25±5 kg/m2), hypertensive PMW naïve to therapy (HT; n=8, age: 59±5 yrs, BMI: 26±2 kg/m2), and medicated hypertensive PMW (MedHT; n=8, age: 63±6 yrs, BMI: 25±5 kg/m2). Blood pressure (BP) readings were taken on more than 1 visit to confirm BP category. We measured cutaneous vasodilatory responses to local heating via laser Doppler flowmetry during microdialysis perfusions of lactated Ringer's (Control) and ETBR blockade (BQ-788, 300nM). Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated during the plateau phase of local heating (42°C) and normalized to maximal vasodilation achieved by perfusion of sodium nitroprusside (28mM) and heating to 43°C. A two-way ANOVA was performed to compare the impact of hypertensive status on vasodilatory responses to ETBR antagonists. Groups were well matched except for resting blood pressure. Systolic BP was lowest in NT compared to the HT and MedHT groups (NT:122±9, HT; 148±11, MedHT: 131±10 mmHg; P<0.02), but diastolic BP was similar between groups (NT: 68±5, HT: 76±7, MedHT: 73±8 mmHg, P=0.15). Plasma ET-1 was lower in NT compared to HT (NT: 1.29±0.24, HT: 1.83±0.2, MedHT: 1.57±0.44 pg/mL; P=0.03). Microvascular vasodilation (control site) was similar between groups (NT: 90±7, HT: 86±13, MedHT: 89±7 %CVCmax; P=0.56). Furthermore, ETBR blockade did not alter vasodilatory responses to local heating (NT: 90±7, HT: 91±9, MedHT: 84±11 %CVCmax, P=0.99). These preliminary data suggest that the ETBR does not contribute to vascular dysfunction in hypertensive PMW. Additional data are needed to understand the mechanisms contributing to hypertension in women.

Ambulatory blood pressure variability and combined exercise training: comparison between hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women.

The aim of the study was to verify the effects of moderate combined aerobic and resistance exercises training in ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) and its variability in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. Twenty-six participants were divided into two groups: hypertensive (HT = 13) and normotensive (NT = 13). They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises (aerobic and resistance exercises at same session) over 10 weeks. We evaluated: resting BP and 24-h ABPM with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean blood pressure (MBP), and heart rate (HR). To evaluate blood pressure variability (BPV), the following were considered: 24-h SD (SD24), the mean diurnal and nocturnal deviations (SDdn), average real variability (ARV24). The two-way analysis of variance showed no difference in ABPM nor BPV responses after training between groups. Both HT and NT groups had similar BP reductions in 24-h DBP (P < 0.01; ΔNT = -3.1 ± 1.1, ΔHT = -1.8 ± 1.2 mmHg), 24-h area under the curve of DBP (P = 0.01; ΔNT = -73±105, ΔHT = -44 ± 115 mmHg), and wake DBP (P < 0.01; ΔNT = -3.4 ± 1.2, ΔHT = -1.8 ± 1.3 mmHg), without differences in BPV responses. Moreover, HT women had higher overall SBP SDdn (P = 0.01), SBP ARV (P = 0.02), and MBP ARV (P < 0.01) than NT women. Ten-week combined exercise training resulted in similar BP reductions in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women, but not in BPV responses.

Sympathetic Vascular Transduction is Elevated in Hypertensive Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

The transduction of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) to vasoconstrictor tone is lower in healthy young women versus both healthy young men and healthy postmenopausal women, and may account for the lower risk of hypertension in young women. However, hypertension can occur before menopause in some women but whether sympathetic transduction is increased in this group is unknown. We aimed to determine whether sympathetic transduction is different in hypertensive (HTN) pre‐ and post‐menopausal women relative to normotensive (NTN) controls. MSNA (peroneal microneurography) and continuous blood pressure (Finometer Pro) were measured in HTN (n=5) and NTN (n=5) premenopausal and HTN (n=4) and NTN (n=6) postmenopausal women. HTN and NTN groups were matched for age (premenopausal; 46±2 vs. 46±5 years, p=0.97, postmenopausal; 59±4 vs. 62 ±2 years; p=0.17). Sympathetic transduction was measured by associating beat‐to‐beat diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with MSNA burst area between the 6th and 8th previous cardiac cycles to account for transduction delay. Transduction was expressed as the slope of the linear regression between burst area and mean DBP, plotted as 1 %.s bins. HTN and NTN were compared within pre‐ or postmenopausal groups by unpaired Student’s T‐test or Mann‐Whitney test, where data were not normally distributed. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Both sympathetic transduction and MSNA were greater in HTN versus NTN premenopausal women (0.16±0.11 vs. 0.03±0.02 mmHg/%.s, p=0.03; 57±17 vs. 32±7 bursts/100 heartbeats, p=0.0185). Sympathetic transduction was also greater in HTN vs. NTN postmenopausal women (0.19±0.08 vs. 0.07±0.02 mmHg/%.s, p=0.02), although MSNA was similar (53±8 vs. 60±15 bursts/100 heartbeats, p=0.4255). Both HTN groups had increased clinic systolic BP and DBP versus the respective NTN group (premenopausal women 153±11/97±6 vs. 119±9/73±8 mmHg, p=0.0007 and p=0.0079; postmenopausal women 155±8/92±15 vs. 123±8/70±7 mmHg, p=0.0095 and p=0.0132 respectively). These results indicate that sympathetic transduction is elevated in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with HTN vs. NTN controls. As such, increased sympathetic transduction may help to explain the development of hypertension in premenopausal women. These data will assist with more precise management of hypertension in pre‐ and postmenopausal women.Support or Funding InformationZoe Adams is funded by a British Heart Foundation Non‐Clinical PhD Studentship (FS/17/38/32935).

Reductions in Microvascular Function can be Detected by Near‐infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) following Ischemia‐Reperfusion in Early Postmenopausal Women

The onset of menopause and accompanying changes to ovarian hormones often precedes endothelial dysfunction in women. In particular, accelerated impairments in microvascular function coincides with the loss of estrogen, as does impaired endothelial resilience to ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) injury. In early postmenopausal women (4 ± 1 years since menopause), we tested the hypothesis that the NIRS‐derived measurement of vascular responsiveness (reoxygenation slope, %.s−1) in the forearm could detect reductions in microvascular function following whole‐arm IR injury. In conjunction, brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) and shear rate (area under curve; AUCpeak) were measured. Thirteen healthy, normotensive (116 ± 11/72 ± 9 mmHg) postmenopausal women (57 ± 3 years) were tested before (PreIR), after (PostIR), and 15 minutes following IR (Post15). The IR injury was achieved by inflating a cuff around the upper‐arm to 250 mmHg for 20 min followed by 15 min of reperfusion. The NIRS‐derived reoxygenation slope was lower PostIR (1.02 ± 0.56%.s−1 vs. 1.23 ± 0.64%.s−1 PreIR; p =0.04), but not at Post15 (1.17 ± 0.51%.s−1; p =0.08). Brachial artery FMD was lower PostIR (3.57 ± 0.52% vs. 8.14 ± 2.44% PreIR; p &lt; 0.001), but not at Post15 (7.61 ± 1.89%; p = 0.54). Shear AUCpeak were similar across tests (p &gt;0.05). Our findings suggest that the NIRS‐derived reoxygenation slope is a non‐invasive method that may detect transient impairments in forearm microvascular function, and may also be used to assess efficacy of therapeutic interventions in improving both vascular function and resilience in this population.Support or Funding InformationPenn State Human Health and Development Endowment AwardSchematic of study timelineFigure 1

The relationship between serum uric acid concentration and cardiovascular risk factors in normotensivepostmenopausal women with dyslipidemia [pdf

The relationship between serum uric acid concentration and cardiovascular risk factors in normotensivepostmenopausal women with dyslipidemia [pdf

The relationship between serum uric acid concentration and cardiovascular risk factors in normotensivepostmenopausal women with dyslipidemia.

According to the latest recommendation for patients with hyperuricemia and high cardiovascular risk, the serum uric acid (SUA) concentration should be lower than 5 mg/dL (<298 &mu;mol/L). Additionally, studies have shown that SUA concentration in participants with hyperuricemia correlates with some dietary factors. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between SUA concentration and some cardiovascular risk factors. Fifty-six postmenopausal women with dyslipidemia and without hypertension were assigned to 2 groups based on SUA concentration. The first group consisted of women with a SUA concentration &ge;5 mg/dL and without gout, and the second group comprised women with a SUA concentration <5 mg/dL. Anthropometric parameters, nutrition, structure of consumption, dietary potential renal acid load (PRAL), lipid profile parameters and blood pressure were evaluated. Postmenopausal women with a SUA &ge;5 mg/dL had statistically significant higher values of serum triglyceride (TG) concentration, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and diastolic blood pressure than women with a SUA concentration <5 mg/dL. Analysis of nutrition showed statistically significant differences between the groups in the intake of starch, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol and vitamin E. Additionally, we observed a correlation between PRAL value and SUA. The structure of consumption between the groups was varied. SUA concentration &ge;5 mg/dL may increase the cardiovascular risk. The association observed between PRAL and SUA can be used to evaluate diet.

CEREBROVASCULAR, COGNITIVE AND GLYCAEMIC BENEFITS OF LONG-TERM RESVERATROL SUPPLEMENTATION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Due to declining estrogen levels, the impact of vascular ageing that contributes to poor cerebral perfusion affects postmenopausal women adversely. Our 14-week pilot study showed that resveratrol supplementation, a phytoestrogen found in skins of grapes and berries, improved cognition and cerebrovascular function in postmenopausal women, offering a potential novel approach to assist with healthy ageing. In the first ever long-term study with resveratrol, we aim to confirm its benefits on cognition and cerebrovascular function. One hundred and forty one normotensive postmenopausal women (mean age= 64±1 years) who were not on hormone replacement therapy, were randomised to take 75mg resveratrol or placebo twice daily for 12 months. Parameters of systemic vascular function including blood pressure, compliance of large and small arteries and cardio-metabolic biomarkers (i.e. fasting glucose, insulin and lipids) were examined. Cognitive performance was assessed by a battery of tests grouped into domains of processing speed, language, attention, working/episodic and verbal memory and cognitive flexibility. Neurovascular coupling capacity (NVC) was measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasound that assessed the magnitude of vasodilator responsiveness in the middle cerebral arteries during cognitive tests. Compared to placebo, women in the resveratrol group outperformed in verbal recall (d=0.352, p=0.039), pattern comparison (d=0.446, p=0.004) and trail making tasks (d=0.373, p=0.041). When grouped by cognitive domains, there were significant improvements in cognitive flexibility (d=0.294, p=0.015) and overall cognitive performance (d=0.351, p=0.004). Compared to placebo, resveratrol attenuated the decline in NVC by more than 60% (p=0.014), particularly during task of attention (d=0.362, p=0.035). Importantly, the relative improvement in NVC correlated with reduction of fasting blood glucose (r=−0.340, p=0.004). No other changes were observed in the systemic vascular function or other cardio-metabolic biomarkers. Confirming the results of our 14-week pilot trial, these data highlight the potential for long-term resveratrol treatment to restore cognitive deficits by attenuating declining cerebrovascular function in postmenopausal women. Moreover, the accompanying improvement in glycaemic control, even in a non-diabetic cohort, highlights the multifaceted benefits of counteracting vascular ageing with resveratrol.

The Acute Effects of Mat Pilates on Hemodynamic and Salivary Nitrite Responses After Exercise in Postmenopausal Women.

The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic and salivary responses after mat Pilates, aerobics, resistance exercises, and control. A total of 16 normotensive postmenopausal women performed: Pilates, 10 floor exercises; aerobics, 35 min on a treadmill (60-70% of heart rate reserve); resistance exercises, 60% of one-repetition maximum; and control, no physical exercise. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were evaluated at rest and 60min after the intervention. Saliva samples were collected at rest, immediately after, and 30 and 60min after exercise for analysis of nitrite concentration and total proteins. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure area under the curve were lower (p < .05) after both aerobic and resistance exercises sessions but not after the Pilates session when compared with the control session. Nitrite concentrations in saliva were higher 60min after the end of all exercise sessions. Heart rate variability was higher after the resistance exercise. Aerobic and resistance exercises were capable of decreasing arterial blood pressure after acute exercise.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is associated with elevated aldosterone/renin ratio.

Plasma aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) is a useful method for primary aldosteronism (PA) screening. However some confounders, such as medications and dietary, affect plasma renin and aldosterone levels, resulting in false-negative or -positive plasma ARR. This study investigated the association between postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and plasma ARR. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray-absorptiometry (DXA) in 324 normotensive postmenopausal women. Based on clinical characteristics and BMD, 186 and 96 subjects were diagnosed as PMO and osteopenia respectively, and the remaining 42 subjects were grouped as normal BMD. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), plasma renin concentration (PRC), parathyroid hormone (PTH), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D(25-(OH)D) were determined. Subjects with PMO showed significantly higher levels of PAC (121.0 ± 78.8 vs. 81.8 ± 71.5 pg/ml, p < 0.01 and 121.0 ± 78.8 vs. 91.7 ± 56.2 pg/ml, p < 0.01) and ARR (32.0 ± 53.6 vs. 9.0 ± 9.3 pg/μU, p < 0.01 and 32.0 ± 53.6 vs. 16.3 ± 32.1 pg/μU, p < 0.01) compared to women with normal BMD and osteopenia, respectively. Using ARR ≥ 37.0 pg/μU as the cutoff for positive screening, more false-positive was found in the PMO group when compared to the normal BMD group (24 vs. 2%) and osteopenia group (24 vs. 7%), respectively. PAC was negatively associated with lumbar spine BMD T-score (r = -0.239, p < 0.001), femur neck BMD T-score (r = -0.234, p < 0.001) and total hip BMD T-score (r = -0.228, p < 0.001). PTH was positively associated with PAC (r = 0.119, p < 0.05) and ARR (r = 0.136, p < 0.05). PAC and ARR are elevated in women with PMO, which might increase the risk of false-positive for case detection of PA.

Sex‐specific Conditions Affecting Vascular Tone, Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognition

There are sex and sex‐hormone specific differences in autonomic nervous system control of blood pressure. The sympathetic nerve fibers of the autonomic nervous system innervate skeletal muscle blood vessels, initiating vasoconstriction, and thus regulate blood flow and vascular tone. This regulation of vascular tone is different between men and women, such that estrogen increases the activity of the b2‐adrenergic receptor activity (causing vasodilation) which offset sympathetically‐mediated vasoconstriction and results in lower blood pressure values in young women. Higher sympathetic nerve activity is associated with greater augmented aortic blood pressure in young men, but lower augmented aortic blood pressure in young women. Such differences in blood pressure regulation will likely have effects that extend beyond blood pressure, affecting blood flow, and ultimately tissue structure and function. For example, higher aortic blood pressure and greater arterial stiffness of the central arteries are associated with white matter hyperintensity fraction in normotensive postmenopausal women and older adults. In addition, there are conditions unique to women, menopause and pregnancy, that further affect blood pressure and blood flow regulation. Pregnancy constitutes a stress that challenges the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow in women. Hypertensive conditions of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, carry life‐long risk for developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. We evaluated the influence of pregnancy history in postmenopausal women on vascular function, cerebral blood flow, and cognition 35 years after pregnancy. Aortic blood pressure was associated with lower cognitive function scores in women with a history of preeclampsia. Additionally, women with a history of preeclampsia had lower cerebral blood flow responses to a vasodilatory stimulus and this was associated with greater intravascular cellular activation. Furthermore, women with a history of preeclampsia and with late‐life hypertension had atrophy in specific regions of the brain, suggesting that pregnancy history may later impact brain structure. Therefore, conditions that a woman may experience during pregnancy may be informative for future risk of disease. In summary, understanding sex‐specific physiological mechanisms, and how this may change over the lifespan is crucial for identification and treatment of individuals at accelerated risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

P6362Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women

P6362Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women