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We tested the hypothesis that infusion of ascorbic acid (AA), a potent antioxidant, would alter vasodilator responses to exercise in human obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Forearm blood flow (FBF, Doppler ultrasound) was measured in lean, obese, and MetSyn adults (n = 39, 32 ± 2 yr). A brachial artery catheter was inserted for blood pressure monitoring and local infusion of AA. FBF was measured during dynamic handgrip exercise (15% maximal effort) with and without AA infusion. To account for group differences in blood pressure and forearm size, and to assess vasodilation, forearm vascular conductance (FVC = FBF/ mean arterial blood pressure/lean forearm mass) was calculated. We examined the time to achieve steady-state FVC (mean response time, MRT) and the rise in FVC from rest to steady-state exercise (Δ, exercise - rest) before and during acute AA infusion. The MRT (P = 0.26) and steady-state vasodilator responses to exercise (ΔFVC, P = 0.31) were not different between groups. Intra-arterial infusion of AA resulted in a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (174 ± 37%). AA infusion did not alter MRT or steady-state FVC in any group (P = 0.90 and P = 0.85, respectively). Interestingly, higher levels of C-reactive protein predicted longer MRT (r = 0.52, P < 0.01) and a greater reduction in MRT with AA infusion (r = -0.43, P = 0.02). We concluded that AA infusion during moderate-intensity, rhythmic forearm exercise does not alter the time course or magnitude of exercise-mediated vasodilation in groups of young lean, obese, or MetSyn adults. However, systemic inflammation may limit the MRT to exercise, which can be improved with AA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular pathology with high prevalence among the aging population. PAD is associated with decreased cognitive performance, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Normal brain function critically depends on an adequate adjustment of cerebral blood supply to match the needs of active brain regions via neurovascular coupling (NVC). NVC responses depend on healthy microvascular endothelial function. PAD is associated with significant endothelial dysfunction in peripheral arteries, but its effect on NVC responses has not been investigated. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that NVC and peripheral microvascular endothelial function are impaired in PAD. We enrolled 11 symptomatic patients with PAD and 11 age- and sex-matched controls. Participants were evaluated for cognitive performance using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and functional near-infrared spectroscopy to assess NVC responses during the cognitive n-back task. Peripheral microvascular endothelial function was evaluated using laser speckle contrast imaging. We found that cognitive performance was compromised in patients with PAD, evidenced by reduced visual memory, short-term memory, and sustained attention. We found that NVC responses and peripheral microvascular endothelial function were significantly impaired in patients with PAD. A positive correlation was observed between microvascular endothelial function, NVC responses, and cognitive performance in the study participants. Our findings support the concept that microvascular endothelial dysfunction and neurovascular uncoupling contribute to the genesis of cognitive impairment in older PAD patients with claudication. Longitudinal studies are warranted to test whether the targeted improvement of NVC responses can prevent or delay the onset of PAD-associated cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central adiposity is associated with greater sympathetic support of blood pressure. b-adrenergic receptors (b-AR) buffer sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction and b-AR-mediated vasodilation is attenuated in preclinical models of obesity. With this information, we hypothesized b-AR vasodilation would be lower in obese compared with normal weight adults. Because b-AR vasodilation in normal weight adults is limited by cyclooxygenase (COX) restraint of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), we further explored the contributions of COX and NOS to b-AR vasodilation in this cohort. Forearm blood flow (FBF, Doppler ultrasound) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, brachial arterial catheter) were measured and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated (FVC = FBF/MAP). The rise in FVC from baseline (DFVC) was quantified during graded brachial artery infusion of isoproterenol (Iso, 1-12 ng/100 g/min) in normal weight (n = 36) and adults with obesity (n = 22) (18-40 yr old). In a subset of participants, Iso-mediated vasodilation was examined before and during inhibition of NOS [NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA)], COX (ketorolac), and NOS þ COX (L-NMMA þ ketorolac). Iso-mediated increases in FVC did not differ between groups (P = 0.57). L-NMMA attenuated Iso-mediated DFVC in normal weight (P = 0.03) but not adults with obesity (P = 0.27). In normal weight adults, ketorolac increased Iso-mediated DFVC (P < 0.01) and this response was lost with concurrent L-NMMA (P = 0.67). In contrast, neither ketorolac (P = 0.81) nor ketorolac þ L-NMMA (P = 0.40) altered Iso-mediated DFVC in adults with obesity. Despite shifts in COX and NOS, b-AR vasodilation is preserved in young adults with obesity. These data highlight the presence of a compensatory shift in microvascular control mechanisms in younger humans with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the hypothesis that women exhibit greater vasodilator responses to β-adrenoceptor stimulation compared with men. We further hypothesized women exhibit a greater contribution of nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase to β-adrenergic-mediated vasodilation compared with men. Forearm blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) was measured in young men (n = 29, 26 ± 1 yr) and women (n = 33, 25 ± 1 yr) during intra-arterial infusion of isoproterenol (β-adrenergic agonist). In subset of subjects, isoproterenol responses were examined before and after local inhibition of nitric oxide synthase [NGmonomethyl- L-arginine (L-NMMA); 6 male/10 female] and/or cyclooxygenase (ketorolac; 5 male/5 female). Vascular conductance (blood flow ÷ mean arterial pressure) was calculated to assess vasodilation. Vascular conductance increased with isoproterenol infusion (P < 0.01), and this effect was not different between men and women (P = 0.41). L-NMMA infusion had no effect on isoproterenol-mediated dilation in men (P > 0.99) or women (P = 0.21). In contrast, ketorolac infusion markedly increased isoproterenol- mediated responses in both men (P < 0.01) and women (P = 0.04) and this rise was lost with subsequent L-NMMA infusion (men, P < 0.01; women, P < 0.05). β-Adrenergic vasodilation is not different between men and women and sex differences in the independent contribution of nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase to β-mediated vasodilation are not present. However, these data are the first to demonstrate β-adrenoceptor activation of cyclooxygenase suppresses nitric oxide synthase signaling in human forearm microcirculation and may have important implications for neurovascular control in both health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]