Blueberry Consumption for Improving Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Postmenopausal Women With Elevated Blood Pressure and Stage 1-Hypertension
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Menopause
- Sponsor
- Colorado State University
- Enrollment
- 43
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Endothelium-dependent dilation
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 3 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) largely due to accelerated aging-related modifications to vascular health following menopause. The vascular endothelium is responsible for producing chemicals that are essential for proper vasodilation and blood flow and therefore is involved in maintaining normal blood pressure. A major modification that occurs during aging and is accelerated during menopause is termed vascular endothelial dysfunction which is characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent dilation. This can lead to increased blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and increased risk of CVD and death. Nitric oxide (NO) is a chemical produced by the endothelium and is essential for normal endothelial function and cardiovascular health. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is primarily caused by reduced NO bioavailability secondary to excessive oxidative stress. Approximately 3/4 of postmenopausal women have elevated blood pressure or hypertension which further worsens endothelial function and increases CVD risk through increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Blueberries are rich in phytochemicals including anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and pterostilbene. These phytochemicals and their metabolites are known to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation. The overall goal of the current study is to assess the efficacy of blueberries to improve vascular endothelial dysfunction in this high-risk population and to gain insight into underlying mechanisms. 58 postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure and stage 1-HTN will be asked to consume 22 grams freeze-dried blueberry powder or placebo powder per day for 12 weeks. Vascular endothelial function will be assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. Measurements indicative of vascular nitric oxide production, oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, and blueberry phytochemical metabolism will be measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Blood pressure will be assessed at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
Investigators
Sarah Johnson
Assistant Professor
Colorado State University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Aged 45-65 years
- •Postmenopausal women (≥ 1 years postmenopausal; natural or surgical menopause; confirmed by measurement of estradiol at a level \< 30 pg/mL and follicle-stimulating hormone at a level ≥ 30 mIU/mL)
- •Elevated or stage 1-HTN (confirmed as resting seated systolic blood pressure \< 120 or ≥ 139 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg using an average of 3 measurements, on 2 separate occasions - screening and baseline visits)
- •Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Systolic blood pressure \< 120 or ≥ 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg
- •Taking \> 1 antihypertensive medication and/or taking the antihypertensive medication for \< 3 months
- •Diagnosed cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, and/or pancreatic disease
- •Triglycerides \> 350 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 190 mg/dL, and/or taking a lipid-lowering medication
- •Hormone replacement therapy use 6 months prior to study start
- •Taking phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
- •Weight change ≥ 3 kg in the past 3 months, actively trying to lose weight, or unwilling to remain weight stable throughout the study
- •Current smokers or history of smoking in the past 12 months
- •Binge and/or heavy drinker (\>3 drinks on any given occasion and/or \>7 drinks/week for women, and \>4 drinks on any given occasion and/or \>14 drinks/week for men)
- •Body mass index \< 18.5 or \> 40 kg/m2
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Endothelium-dependent dilation
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 Weeks
Assessed as brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in a study subset of participants
Blood pressure
Time Frame: Baseline to 12 weeks
Assessed using an automated blood pressure monitor (SphgmoCor)
Secondary Outcomes
- Augmentation index(Baseline to 12 weeks)
- Gut microbiota(Baseline to 12 weeks)
- Vascular oxidative stress(Baseline and 12 weeks)
- Endothelial cell nitric oxide production, oxidative stress, and inflammation(Baseline and 12 weeks)
- Systemic markers of cardiometabolic health(Baseline and 12 weeks)
- Endothelium-independent dilation(Baseline to 12 weeks)
- Pulse wave velocity(Baseline to 12 weeks)
- Plasma blueberry polyphenol metabolites(Baseline and 12 weeks)