Postprandial hypotension occurs frequently in older people and may lead to syncope and falls. Some recent studies suggest that the magnitude of the postprandial fall in blood pressure (BP) is influenced by the rate of gastric emptying. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine whether the fall in blood pressure induced by intraduodenal glucose is influenced by the rate of nutrient delivery into the small intestine, bypassing the effects of gastric emptying. Eight healthy elderly subjects (four male and four female, age 70.3 +/- 3.4 years) were studied on two separate days, in double-blind, randomised order. Glucose was infused intraduodenally at a rate of either 1 or 3 kcal min(-1), for 60 min, (0-60 min) followed by 0.9 % saline for a further 60 min (60-120 min). Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at baseline and every 3 min during the study. Blood glucose and plasma insulin were also determined. Only the 3 kcal min(-1) infusion caused a significant fall in systolic (P < 0.001) and diastolic (P < 0.0001) blood pressure and an increase in the heart rate (P < 0.0001). The rises in blood glucose (P < 0.01) and plasma insulin (P < 0.05) concentrations were greater during the 3 kcal min(-1) infusion. We conclude that in healthy older subjects, the magnitude of the fall in blood pressure and increase in heart rate induced by intraduodenal glucose infusion is dependent on the rate of nutrient delivery into the small intestine. These results may have relevance to the treatment of postprandial hypotension.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2290234PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2001.013442DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

blood pressure
20
postprandial hypotension
12
fall blood
12
kcal min-1
12
heart rate
12
healthy older
8
older subjects
8
influenced rate
8
gastric emptying
8
induced intraduodenal
8

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!