No impact of acute hyperglycaemia on arterial stiffness in the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in young females

Abstract

Acute hyperglycaemia may result in transient increases in arterial stiffness. However, research in healthy premenopausal women is lacking, and the impact of menstrual phase [early follicular (EF; low oestrogen) and late follicular (LF; high oestrogen)] on vulnerability to acute hyperglycaemiainduced changes in arterial stiffness is unknown. We hypothesized that an acute hyperglycaemiainduced increase in arterial stiffness in the EF phase would be attenuated in the LF phase. Seventeen healthy, naturally menstruating women [21 ± 1 years of age (mean ± SD)] participated in three experimental visits. During two visits, in the EF and LF phase, arterial stiffness was assessed via central and peripheral (arm and leg) pulse wave velocity (PWV) before and 15, 45, 75 and 105 min after consuming an oral glucose challenge (75 g glucose in 300 ml of solution). Blood samples were taken to assess glucose, insulin, oestrogen and progesterone concentrations. During a third visit in the EF phase, participants ingested 300 ml of water as a time control for PWV. Despite significant increases in blood glucose and insulin (P < 0.001), both central and peripheral arm PWV remained unchanged across time and phase, indicating that neither acute hyperglycaemia nor menstrual phase had an impact on central or peripheral arm arterial stiffness. There was a small effect of phase for peripheral leg PWV, where PWV was lower in the LF phase (P = 0.04, Cohen's d = 0.39); however, and in contrast to recent results in young men, peripheral leg PWV was unaffected by hyperglycaemia. These results suggest that premenopausal women might experience protection from acute hyperglycaemia-induced increases in arterial stiffness.

Acute hyperglycaemia enhances both vascular endothelial function and cardiac and skeletal muscle microvascular function in healthy humans

“…A fourth finding is that AH did not adversely affect cfPWV or PIFV. Our cfPWV result confirms findings from other studies demonstrating no cfPWV response to AH in healthy humans (Kobayashi et al 2015;Williams et al 2020). PIFV, which principally reflects resistance arteriolar tone, was also not impaired by AH.…”

“…2015; Williams et al . 2020). PIFV, which principally reflects resistance arteriolar tone, was also not impaired by AH.…”

An exploration into the effects of prolonged sitting on cardiovascular health and the influence of modifiable lifestyle factors.

“…This study found that global PWV significantly increased in both trials (0.29 m•s -1 , p < 0.001), driven by increases in brachial-femoral and femoral-ankle PWV (0.36 and 0.55 m•s -1 respectively) with no condition (p = 0.99) or interaction (p = 0.95) effect. Given the findings of Williams et al, [304], the mixed sample of Kelsch et al, [60] (12 males, 6 females) may have influenced the results with females being less susceptible to hyperglycaemic increases in arterial stiffness, however, it is apparent from these findings that in a healthy population at least, hyperglycaemia induced by consumption of a high glycaemic index drink does not appear to augment sitting-induced dysfunction. Another factor to consider may be physical activity preceding the prolonged sitting trials.…”

“…The observed metabolic dysfunction observed in response to prolonged sitting is particularly problematic as both hyperglycaemia and associated insulin resistance are associated with acute vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress. Additionally, acute hyperglycaemia has been associated with increased peripheral artery stiffness, as assessed by pulse wave velocity in men [301][302][303], however, this effect has not been shown in a female population [304]. One study has also shown an increase in cfPWV during hyperglycaemia [305], however, in contrast to similar studies, the aforementioned trial utilised a mixed meal (80 g carbohydrate, 12 g fat, 18 g protein) rather than the typically employed glucose drink (70 g carbohydrate).…”