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The Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplementation on Cardiovascular Function in Postmenopausal Women.

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Elevated Blood Pressure
Hypertension
Registration Number
NCT03716960
Lead Sponsor
Marymount University
Brief Summary

Postmenopausal women have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease than age-match men. Growing evidence from rat studies have demonstrated CV-protective effects of pumpkin seed oil (PSO).

The investigators hypothesis is that PSO would improve CV health in postmenopausal women.

Detailed Description

The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of 6 weeks of PSO on arterial and autonomic function in postmenopausal women. Specific aims of the study are to:

To investigate the extent to which PSO will improve cardiovascular disease risk factors by assessing arterial stiffness, aortic BP and wave reflection, and autonomic function (heart rate variability).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
23
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female
  • 45 to 65 years of age
  • At least 1 year after menopause
  • BMI <39.9
  • Sedentary or low active (less than 2 hr per wk)
Exclusion Criteria
  • known heart disease
  • peripheral vascular disease
  • diabetes, body mass index
  • BMI> 40 kg/m2
  • other chronic diseases
  • taking medications (e.g., hormone replacement therapy, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants and stimulants) that could affect the outcome variables
  • smokers
  • history of steady exercise or received exercise training and dietary changes in the last year

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Blood pressure6 weeks

Non-invasive measures of brachial and aortic blood pressure

Pressure Wave Reflection6 weeks

Using the augmentation index

Arterial Stiffness6 weeks

Using the stiffness index

Heart rate variability6 weeks

R-R intervals were collected during 6 min using a validated wireless monitor (Polar 800CX; Polar Electro OY, Kempele, Finland) via a chest strap interfaced with a PC. All R-R intervals were inspected for artifacts and premature beats.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Marymount University

🇺🇸

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Marymount University
🇺🇸Arlington, Virginia, United States

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