Impact of Sex in the Effect of Dietary Capsaicin on Cardiovascular Health
Description
The goal of the proposed research was to investigate whether there is sex- or race-specificity in the effects of dietary capsaicin on mechanisms regulating nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, its effect on key markers of cardiovascular health, including BP, macro- and microvascular function, and arterial stiffness. Accordingly, we pursued the following related, but not contingent, aims: Specific Aim 1: Determine the sex- and race-specific effects of dietary capsaicin on central and peripheral blood pressure and arterial stiffness. We hypothesized that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve BP and arterial stiffness, likely in a sex-dependent manner. We will measure heart rate variability and excretion of capsaicin and metabolites to ascertain bioavailability, and understand the mechanistic role of the autonomic nervous system, in capsaicin’s effect on BP. Specific Aim 2: Assessed whether dietary capsaicin effects on vascular function was sex-specific. We hypothesize that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve NO bioavailability, through improved redox balance and lowered asymmetric dimethylarginine, thereby improving peripheral vascular function, likely in a sex-dependent manner. We used a randomized placebo controlled trial to understand the effects of 6-weeks of dietary capsaicin supplementation on measures of cardiovascular health. We recruited 72 relatively healthy, non-smoking men and women. Data include: anthropometrics, blood pressure (central and peripheral), arterial stiffness, vascular function, lipid panel, heart rate and heart rate variability.
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The goal of the proposed research is to investigate whether there is sex- or race-specificity in the effects of dietary capsaicin on mechanisms regulating nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, its effect on key markers of cardiovascular health, including BP, macro- and microvascular function, and arterial stiffness. This knowledge will provide critical insight into the effects of dietary capsaicin on CV health, and will guide future trials. Accordingly, we pursued the following related, but not contingent, aims: Specific Aim 1: Determine the sex- and race-specific effects of dietary capsaicin on central and peripheral blood pressure and arterial stiffness. We hypothesized that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve BP and arterial stiffness, likely in a sex-dependent manner. We will measure heart rate variability and excretion of capsaicin and metabolites to ascertain bioavailability, and understand the mechanistic role of the autonomic nervous system, in capsaicin’s effect on BP. Specific Aim 2: Assessed whether dietary capsaicin effects on vascular function was sex-specific. We hypothesize that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve NO bioavailability, through improved redox balance and lowered asymmetric dimethylarginine, thereby improving peripheral vascular function, likely in a sex-dependent manner. We used a randomized placebo controlled trial to understand the effects of 6-weeks of dietary capsaicin supplementation on measures of cardiovascular health. We recruited 72 relatively healthy, non-smoking men and women. Given the potential impact of menstrual cycle phase on vascular function, we documented the menstrual cycle phase/status of the women at each visit, but for ecological validity we did not schedule visits around it. Participants were relatively healthy, other than elevated blood pressure (uncontrolled hypertension will be excluded), but otherwise free of acute and chronic disease. Any participants with excessive sensitivity to spicy foods or fiber (psyllium husk) were excluded. After screening all participants were randomized to placebo or capsaicin, in a double blind manner. The dietary capsaicin dosing scheme was chosen in accordance with over-the-counter availability of capsules, dosing at 2 x 390 mg capsules (780 mg), and the placebo was 250 mg fiber (psyllium husk) capsules which were chosen to be of similar size, coloration, and texture, and not expected to impact function. Participants were tested under standardized conditions: fasted (>8 hrs), rested (no exercise the day of, and no heavy exercise 1 day prior), without caffeine or alcohol use for 12 and 24 hrs, respectively. We used standardized techniques to measure anthropometrics (stadiometer and BIA), blood pressure and arterial stiffness (Sphygmocor Xcel), vascular function (NIRS-VOT), lipids (Cholestech), heart rate and heart rate variability (Polar H10 and Elite HRV), and ambulatory blood pressure (mobilograph).
Institutions
- Skidmore CollegeNY, Saratoga Springs