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Ascorbic acid selectively improves large elastic artery compliance in postmenopausal women
Kerrie L Moreau1, Kathleen M Gavin, Angela E Plum
1Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0354, USA. moreauk@colorado.edu
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|May 4, 2005
Summary
Oxidative stress significantly reduces large elastic artery compliance in postmenopausal women. Antioxidant ascorbic acid improved arterial compliance, suggesting a key role for oxidative stress in age-related cardiovascular changes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Arterial compliance decreases with age and menopause, increasing cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women.
- Estrogen deficiency is linked to reduced arterial compliance and potentially increased oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of oxidative stress to reduced large elastic artery compliance in postmenopausal women.
- To determine if antioxidant intervention can improve arterial compliance in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Carotid artery compliance was measured in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
- Measurements were taken at baseline and during intravenous infusions of saline and ascorbic acid (a potent antioxidant).
- Associations between changes in arterial compliance and factors like waist-to-hip ratio, norepinephrine, and LDL cholesterol were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Postmenopausal women had 56% lower carotid artery compliance than premenopausal women.
- Ascorbic acid significantly increased arterial compliance by 26% in postmenopausal women but not in premenopausal women.
- The improvement in compliance correlated with baseline waist-to-hip ratio, plasma norepinephrine, and LDL cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress appears to be a significant factor contributing to reduced large elastic artery compliance in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women.
- Increased abdominal obesity, sympathetic nervous system activity, and LDL cholesterol may mediate the negative impact of oxidative stress on arterial compliance.