Influence of physical effort on aortic stiffness in young male athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The progression of cardiovascular disease is blunted by regular exercise training as a common non-pharmacological treatment. Recent findings have confirmed that central aortic pressure is more strongly related to cardiovascular events than brachial blood pressure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a single bout of significant physical effort on central aortic pressure and pulse wave velocity in young male athletes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 16 healthy male athletes undergoing regular endurance training. The subjects of the study (21.6 ± 2.85 years of age) underwent a submaximal exercise test consisting of cycling for 30 minutes. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and derivatives (augmentation index set to 75 heart beats, AIx75; pulse pressure amplification, PPA), ejection duration (ED), subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) and central blood pressure were examined before and after the exercise test Blood pressure and pulse waveform were evaluated in the supine position after a 15-minute rest by means of the oscillometric method the oscillometric method. RESULTS: Comparing the rest condition to the period immediately following the exercise test, athletes showed lower central than peripheral systolic blood pressure both before (129 ± 11 mmHg and 112 ± 8 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.001) and after (130 ± 10 mmHg to 112 ± 8 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.001) the test. They also showed a decrease of ED from 339.7 ± 44.4 ms to 326.9 ± 41.4 ms (p < 0.02) and an increase of PPA from 136.2 ± 5.4% to 140.3 ± 5.0% (p < 0.02), whereas PWV, AIx75 and SEVR changed insignificantly. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that PPA is sensitive to an instant change in aortic elasticity. Furthermore, the hemodynamic response to a single physical effort composed of shorter ejection time and increased relative elasticity of the aorta prevents impairment of oxygen supply to the heart musculature.

Apolipoprotein E4 allele is associated with substantial changes in the plasma lipids and hyaluronic acid content in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Fat may affect progression of liver damage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study we characterize the state of lipid metabolism in 22 patients with NAFLD and different Apo-E variants. Total concentration of plasma total fatty acids was quantified by gas chromatography, while their derivatives by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC ESI MS/MS). The ratio of plasma saturated fatty acid to monounsaturated fatty acid increased, whereas the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids was reduced in Apo-E4 carriers. Simultaneously, the levels of individual plasma linoleic, arachidonic, and alpha linolenic acids significantly increased in subjects with the Apo-E4 allele. The 15-lipoxygenase metabolite, 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, was significantly higher in Apo-E3 carriers (p<0.006). 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid was significantly elevated in Apo-E4 carriers (p<0.009). A significant difference in hyaluronic acid concentration (p<0.0016) as well as predicted advanced fibrosis (using the BARD scoring system) was found in Apo-E4 carriers (p<0.01). We suggest that a distinct mechanism of fibrosis between Apo E alleles. In Apo-E4 carriers, an elevation in 5-oxo-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid synthesis and fatty acid dysfunction may induce fibrosis, while an inflammatory process may be the main cause of fibrosis in Apo-E3 carriers.