Clin Sci (Lond). 2013 May;124(9):579-87.
Mediterranean diet- and exercise-induced improvement in age-dependent vascular activity.
Klonizakis M, Alkhatib A, Middleton G, Smith MF.
Source
School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.
klonizakis@gmail.com
Abstract
The aging effect on microvascular integrity, marked by endothelial dysfunction
and reduction in exercise tolerance, is a major cause of CVD (cardiovascular
disease). Improved dietary habits, known to reduce morbidity and mortality, are
also known to attenuate those aging effects. The present study investigated the
effects of combined MD (Mediterranean diet) and exercise intervention on lower-
and upper-limb cutaneous microvascular functions in an older healthy population.
A total of 22 sedentary healthy participants (age, 55±4 years) underwent
cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance test, and were assessed for their upper- and
lower-limb vascular endothelial CVC (cutaneous vascular conductance) using LDF
(laser Doppler fluximetry) with endothelium-dependent [ACh (acetylcholine
chloride)] and -independent [SNP (sodium nitroprusside)] vasodilation.
Participants were then randomized into two groups: MD and non-MD, and followed
an 8-week intervention programme, which included discontinuous treadmill running
based on each individual's exertion, twice per week. Exercise training improved
CVC in both groups (e.g. 0.42±0.19 compared with 1.50±1.05 and 0.47±0.26
compared with 1.15±0.59 at 1000 ?Cb for MD and non-MD respectively; P<0.001).
This was also combined by improvement in the exercise tolerance indicated by
increased VT (ventilatory threshold) in both groups [12.2±2.8 compared with
14.8±2.8 ml·(kg of body weight)(-1)·min(-1) and 11.7±2.7 compared with 14.6±3.2
ml·(kg of body weight)(-1)·min(-1) for MD and non-MD groups respectively;
P<0.05]. However, the MD group showed greater improvement in
endothelium-dependent vasodilation than non-MD [ANCOVA (analyses of co-variance),
P=0.02]. The results of the present study suggest that compliance with MD,
combined with regular moderate exercise, improves age-provoked microcirculatory
endothelial dysfunction and increases exercise tolerance, both responsible for
reducing cardiovascular risk in this age group.
PMID: 23163793 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]