The effect of endothelin a receptor inhibition and biological sex on cutaneous microvascular function in non-Hispanic Black and White young adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endothelin-A receptor (ETR) inhibition in non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and White (NHW) young adults depends on biological sex. We recruited females during low hormone (n = 22) and high hormone (n = 22) phases, and males (n = 22). Participants self-identified as NHB (n = 33) or NHW (n = 33).

Inhibition of superoxide and iNOS augment cutaneous nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in non-Hispanic black young adults.

We assessed the combined effect of superoxide and iNOS inhibition on microvascular function in non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White participants (n = 15 per group). Participants were instrumented with four microdialysis fibers: (1) lactated Ringer's (control), (2) 10 μM tempol (superoxide inhibition), (3) 0.1 mM 1400 W (iNOS inhibition), (4) tempol + 1400 W.

Contribution of sensory nerves to cutaneous reactive hyperaemia in non-Hispanic Black and White young adults.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Does cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated vasodilatation differ between non-Hispanic Black and White young adults? What is the main finding and its importance? The magnitude of cutaneous reactive hyperaemia is lower in non-Hispanic Black relative to non-Hispanic White young adults, but the overall sensory nerve contribution is the same, suggesting that sensory nerve function is similar in both non-Hispanic Black and White young adults.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess cutaneous sensory nerve function, independent of nitric oxide, in non-Hispanic Black and White young adults. We tested the hypothesis that cutaneous reactive hyperaemia and sensory nerve-mediated vasodilatation would be lower in non-Hispanic Black young adults relative to non-Hispanic White young adults.

Endothelin A receptor inhibition increases nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation independent of superoxide in non-Hispanic Black young adults.

Young non-Hispanic Black adults have reduced microvascular endothelial function compared with non-Hispanic White counterparts, but the mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of endothelin-1 A receptor (ETR) and superoxide on cutaneous microvascular function in young non-Hispanic Black ( = 10) and White ( = 10) adults. Participants were instrumented with four intradermal microdialysis fibers: ) lactated Ringer's (control), ) 500 nM BQ-123 (ETR antagonist), ) 10 μM tempol (superoxide dismutase mimetic), and ) BQ-123 + tempol.

Effects of biological sex and oral contraceptive pill use on cutaneous microvascular endothelial function and nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in humans.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation between women in either menstrual or placebo pill phases of their respective hormonal exposure [either naturally cycling (NC) or using oral contraceptive pills (OCPs)] and men. A planned subgroup analysis was then completed to assess endothelial function and NO-dependent vasodilation between NC women, women using OCP, and men. Endothelium-dependent and NO-dependent vasodilation were assessed in the cutaneous microvasculature using laser-Doppler flowmetry, a rapid local heating protocol (39°C, 0.

Tissue Derivation and Biological Sex Uniquely Mediate Endothelial Cell Protein Expression, Redox Status, and Nitric Oxide Synthesis.

Human endothelial cells are routinely utilized in cardiovascular research to provide a translational foundation for understanding how the vascular endothelium functions in vivo. However, little attention has been given to whether there are sex specific responses in vitro. Similarly, it is unclear whether endothelial cells derived from distinct tissues behave in a homogenous manner.

Microvascular endothelial function following cessation of long-term oral contraceptive pill use: A case report.

New Findings: What is the main observation in this case? The main observation of this case report is substantial improvement in cutaneous microvascular endothelial function after cessation of long-term use of a fourth-generation oral contraceptive pill. This improvement appears independent of relative changes in the contribution of nitric oxide. What insights does it reveal? Our findings suggest that cessation of long-term, fourth-generation oral contraceptive pill use improves endothelial function within 20 months of cessation.

Berries and Their Polyphenols as a Potential Therapy for Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: A Mini-Review.

Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is a common diagnosis with a higher prevalence in women compared to men. Despite the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease and no structural heart disease, INOCA is associated with major adverse cardiovascular outcomes as well a significant contributor to angina and related disability. A major feature of INOCA is coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), which can be detected by non-invasive imaging and invasive coronary physiology assessments in humans.

Berry-Derived Polyphenols in Cardiovascular Pathologies: Mechanisms of Disease and the Role of Diet and Sex.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, pathogenesis, and manifestation is differentially influenced by biological sex. Berry polyphenols target several signaling pathways pertinent to CVD development, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiac and vascular remodeling, and there are innate differences in these pathways that also vary by sex. There is limited research systematically investigating sex differences in berry polyphenol effects on these pathways, but there are fundamental findings at this time that suggest a sex-specific effect.

Female Sex Hormone Effects on the Vasculature: Considering the Validity of Restricting Study Inclusion to Low-Hormone Phases.

Many studies of vascular function limit the testing of premenopausal female participants to periods when female sex hormones, either endogenous or exogenous, are at their lowest concentration. This practice, when not part of the specific research question, may limit data surrounding the predominant physiological state of premenopausal females and pose a threat to external validity. In this , we briefly review the literature on the effect of female sex hormones on vascular function and discuss when limiting experimental testing to a certain phase of the menstrual cycle (MC) or oral contraceptive (OC) use may be appropriate.

Inhibition of iNOS augments cutaneous endothelial NO-dependent vasodilation in prehypertensive non-Hispanic Whites and in non-Hispanic Blacks.

We tested the hypothesis that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) contributes to reduced nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation in non-Hispanic Blacks and prehypertensive non-Hispanic Whites. Twenty Black and twenty White participants (10 normotensive, 10 prehypertensive per group; = 40 total) participated in this study. Participants were instrumented with two microdialysis fibers, and each site was randomized as control (lactated Ringer) or iNOS inhibition (0.

Leg heat therapy improves perceived physical function but does not enhance walking capacity or vascular function in patients with peripheral artery disease.

A single session of leg heat therapy (HT) has been shown to elicit increases in leg blood flow and reduce blood pressure (BP) and the circulating levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). We assessed whether 6 wk of supervised leg HT (3 times/wk) with water-circulating trousers perfused with water at 48°C improved 6-min walk distance in individuals with PAD compared with a sham treatment. Secondary outcomes included the assessment of leg vascular function, BP, quality of life, and serum ET-1 and nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) levels.

Sensory nerve-mediated and nitric oxide-dependent cutaneous vasodilation in normotensive and prehypertensive non-Hispanic blacks and whites.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of race and subclinical elevations in blood pressure (i.e., prehypertension) on cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation.

Cutaneous sensory nerve-mediated microvascular vasodilation in normotensive and prehypertensive non-Hispanic Blacks and Whites.

Relative to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks are disproportionately affected by elevated blood pressure (BP). It is unknown whether race or subclinical increases in BP affect the ability of cutaneous sensory nerves to induce cutaneous microvascular vasodilation. Sixteen participants who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black (n = 8) or non-Hispanic White (n = 8) were subgrouped as normotensive or prehypertensive.

Cutaneous reactive hyperaemia is unaltered by dietary nitrate supplementation in healthy humans.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether nitrate supplementation augments cutaneous reactive hyperaemia. Seven participants were tested pre- and postnitrate supplementation (25 ml beetroot juice); participants consumed one shot per day for 3 days. Participants were instrumented with two microdialysis fibres: control (Ringer's solution) and NO synthase inhibition (20 mM L-NAME).

Urinary F-isoprostanes and the risk of hypertension.

Purpose: There is strong biological plausibility for a causal role of reactive oxygen species in vascular pathology but no direct epidemiological evidence linking elevated reactive oxygen species levels to hypertension development. We examined cross-sectional and prospective associations between oxidative status (urinary F-isoprostanes) and hypertension in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study cohort (n = 831).

Methods: The cohort included non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic black individuals, with 252 (30%) having prevalent hypertension and 579 participants normotensive at baseline, 122 (21%) of whom developed hypertension during the 5-year follow-up.

Current concepts of active vasodilation in human skin.

In humans, an increase in internal core temperature elicits large increases in skin blood flow and sweating. The increase in skin blood flow serves to transfer heat via convection from the body core to the skin surface while sweating results in evaporative cooling of the skin. Cutaneous vasodilation and sudomotor activity are controlled by a sympathetic cholinergic active vasodilator system that is hypothesized to operate through a co-transmission mechanism.

Systemic F-Isoprostane Levels in Predisposition to Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Emphasis on Racial Differences.

This review focuses on racial differences in systemic levels of lipid peroxidation markers F-isoprostanes as metabolic characteristics predisposing to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Elevated levels F-isoprostanes were found in obesity, type 2 diabetes and their comorbidities. It was hypothesized that increased F-isoprostane levels reflect the obesity-induced oxidative stress that promotes the development of type 2 diabetes.