Phenolic-rich Oats and Artery Improvement

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: In this proposed human trial, the investigators aim to establish whether consumption of one portion of phenolic acid-rich oats leads to acute improvements (i.e. 1-24h post-intake) in markers of cardiovascular disease risk relative to an energy matched control intervention in healthy men with high-normal to mildly elevated blood pressure.

Detailed Description: A diet rich in whole grain is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Whole grains contain a wide range dietary components including potentially vasoactive phenolic acids.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Above average blood pressure (i.e. systolic 120-159 mmHg and diastolic 75-99 mmHg)

Exclusion Criteria

Abnormal biochemical, haematological results as assessed at health screening
Hypertension (i.e. systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥160/100 mm Hg) BMI >35
Current smoker or ex-smoker ceasing <3 months ago
Past or existing medical history of vascular disease, diabetes, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, haematological, neurological, thyroidal disease or cancer
Prescribed or taking lipid lowering, antihypertensive, vasoactive (e.g. Viagra), anti-inflammatory, antibiotic or antidepressant medication
Allergies to whole grains
Parallel participation in another research project
Having flu vaccination or antibiotics within 3 months of trial start
On a weight reduction regime or taking food supplements within 3 months of trial start
Performing high level of physical activity (i.e. >3 x 20 min aerobic exercise/week)
Consumption of ≥21 units of alcohol/week
Small veins not allowing cannulation

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Oat intervention	Oat	67.7g oatflake and 22.5g oatbran concentrate - single intake (mixed with water)
Control	Control	39.4g cream of rice, 6.1g sunflower oil, 29.5g skimmed milk, 5.6g pectin powder, 6.5g cellulose and mixed with water

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Flow Mediated Dilatation	1 hour, 6 hours and 24 hours	Technique to assess the flexibility of the endothelium in larger peripheral blood vessels

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Plasma Insulin	Acute postprandial timecourse from Baseline, 1hour to 24hours.	Insulin concentration in pmol/L
Laser Doppler Iontophoresis	Baseline(BL), 2hours and 24hours	Acute postprandial timecourse from Baseline to 2 hours, 24hours, AUC - area under the blood flow and time curve Ach-iAUC-endothelium dependent incremental area under the curve SNP-iAUC-endothelium independent incremental area under the curve Ach-AUC- endothelium dependent area under the curve
Plasma Glucose	Acute postprandial timecourse from Baseline, 1hour to 24hours.	Glucose concentration in mmol/L
Phenolic Acids Metabolites - Ferulic Acid	Baseline, 1hour, 2 hours and 24hours	Concentration of phenolic acid metabolites in plasma and urine as Assessed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry magnitude of increase from Baseline to 24h
Plasma Nitric Oxide Analysis	Acute postprandial timecourse from Baseline, 1hour to 24hours.	Concentration of nitric oxide in nmol
NADPH Oxidase Activity in Neutrophil Blood Cells	Baseline, 2 hours and 24 hours	NADPH oxidase activity will be calculated as the difference between values obtained in PMA The fluorescence intensity was measured by C6 Flow Cytometer
Renin Activity	Acute postprandial timecourse from Baseline, 1hour to 24hours.	Renin activity in ng/(mL\*hour)