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Background: Effects of weight loss on postprandial vascular function have not been studied so far. We therefore examined (i) effects of diet-induced weight loss on postprandial changes in various vascular function markers after consumption of a mixed meal and (ii) differences between normal-weight and abdominally obese men of comparable age at baseline and after weight loss.Methods: Fifty-four apparently healthy abdominally obese (waist circumference: 102-110 cm) and 25 normal-weight men (waist circumference:Results: The mean weight loss was 10.3 kg in the weight-loss compared with the control group. The postprandial change in flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery (FMD) was significantly higher at baseline in normal-weight as compared with the postprandial change in abdominally obese men (1.89 +/- 2.52 versus 0.48 +/- 2.50 percentage points; P = 0.027). However, no differences in postprandial changes were observed in the abdominally obese men after weight loss compared with the control treatment. Also, weight reduction did not affect postprandial changes in carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity, retinal microvascular caliber properties, or plasma markers of microvascular endothelial function. Even though postprandial increases in triacylglycerol (P = 0.028), insulin (P = 0.029) and C-peptide concentrations (P <0.001) were reduced in the abdominally obese men following weight loss, postprandial changes in FMD at the end of the weight-loss treatment were still more unfavorable as compared with those observed in normal-weight individuals.Conclusion: In this trial with abdominally obese men, we did not find effects of diet-induced weight loss on postprandial changes in vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness and markers of microvascular function. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Background: Effects of weight loss on postprandial vascular function have not been studied so far. We therefore examined (i) effects of diet-induced weight loss on postprandial changes in various vascular function markers after consumption of a mixed meal and (ii) differences between normal-weight and abdominally obese men of comparable age at baseline and after weight loss.Methods: Fifty-four apparently healthy abdominally obese (waist circumference: 102-110 cm) and 25 normal-weight men (waist circumference:Results: The mean weight loss was 10.3 kg in the weight-loss compared with the control group. The postprandial change in flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery (FMD) was significantly higher at baseline in normal-weight as compared with the postprandial change in abdominally obese men (1.89 +/- 2.52 versus 0.48 +/- 2.50 percentage points; P = 0.027). However, no differences in postprandial changes were observed in the abdominally obese men after weight loss compared with the control treatment. Also, weight reduction did not affect postprandial changes in carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity, retinal microvascular caliber properties, or plasma markers of microvascular endothelial function. Even though postprandial increases in triacylglycerol (P = 0.028), insulin (P = 0.029) and C-peptide concentrations (P <0.001) were reduced in the abdominally obese men following weight loss, postprandial changes in FMD at the end of the weight-loss treatment were still more unfavorable as compared with those observed in normal-weight individuals.Conclusion: In this trial with abdominally obese men, we did not find effects of diet-induced weight loss on postprandial changes in vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness and markers of microvascular function. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Background: Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) may have a low burden of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an early stage of atherosclerosis and endothelial function is previously studied in smaller CCHD groups with different techniques and variable results. We aimed to examine endothelial function and carotid atherosclerosis in a larger group of CCHD patients.Methods: This multicentre study assessed endothelial function in adults with CCHD and controls by measuring the dilatory response of the brachial artery to post-ischemic hyperaemia (endothelium-dependent flow-mediated-vasodilatation (FMD)), and to nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-induced dilatation (NID)). Flow was measured at baseline and after ischaemia (reactive hyperaemia). Carotid-intima-media-thickness (CIMT), prevalence of carotid plaque and plaque thickness (cPT-max) were evaluated ultrasonographically. Lipoproteins, inflammatory and vascular markers, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were measured.Results: Forty-five patients with CCHD (median age 50 years) and 45 matched controls (median age 52 years) were included. The patients presented with lower reactive hyperaemia (409 +/- 114% vs. 611 +/- 248%, p <0.0001), however preserved FMD response compared to controls (106.5 +/- 8.3% vs. 106. 4 +/- 6.1%, p = 0.95). In contrast, NID was lower in the patients (110.5 +/- 6.1% vs. 115.1 +/- 7.4%, p = 0.053). There was no difference in CIMT, carotid plaque or cPT-max. The patients presented with lower high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher level of inflammatory markers and S1P.Conclusion: Adults with CCHD had preserved FMD in the brachial artery, but impaired NID response and lower reactive hyperaemia than controls. The preserved FMD and the comparable prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis indicate that CCHD patients have the same risk of atherosclerosis as controls. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Background: Patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) may have a low burden of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an early stage of atherosclerosis and endothelial function is previously studied in smaller CCHD groups with different techniques and variable results. We aimed to examine endothelial function and carotid atherosclerosis in a larger group of CCHD patients.Methods: This multicentre study assessed endothelial function in adults with CCHD and controls by measuring the dilatory response of the brachial artery to post-ischemic hyperaemia (endothelium-dependent flow-mediated-vasodilatation (FMD)), and to nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-induced dilatation (NID)). Flow was measured at baseline and after ischaemia (reactive hyperaemia). Carotid-intima-media-thickness (CIMT), prevalence of carotid plaque and plaque thickness (cPT-max) were evaluated ultrasonographically. Lipoproteins, inflammatory and vascular markers, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) were measured.Results: Forty-five patients with CCHD (median age 50 years) and 45 matched controls (median age 52 years) were included. The patients presented with lower reactive hyperaemia (409 +/- 114% vs. 611 +/- 248%, p <0.0001), however preserved FMD response compared to controls (106.5 +/- 8.3% vs. 106. 4 +/- 6.1%, p = 0.95). In contrast, NID was lower in the patients (110.5 +/- 6.1% vs. 115.1 +/- 7.4%, p = 0.053). There was no difference in CIMT, carotid plaque or cPT-max. The patients presented with lower high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher level of inflammatory markers and S1P.Conclusion: Adults with CCHD had preserved FMD in the brachial artery, but impaired NID response and lower reactive hyperaemia than controls. The preserved FMD and the comparable prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis indicate that CCHD patients have the same risk of atherosclerosis as controls. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Exercise therapy has long been used for rehabilitation purposes after myocardial infarction (MI) and the benefit of regular physical exercise is also well-established. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed to be more effective than continuous exercise for improving exercise capacity and health-related adaptations to low-volume (LV) and HIIT are also known. Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet (Mediet) has been widely reported to be a model of healthy eating for its contribution to a favorable health status and a better quality of life, reducing overall mortality. This study will investigate the effects of different HIIT programs (high-volume [HV] vs LV) and Mediet recommendations in clinical condition, cardiorespiratory fitness, biomarkers, ventricular function, and perception of quality of life after MI, and compared to an attention control group that is recommended to Mediet and physical activity without supervision sessions.

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of systemic, noninflammatory, and nonatherosclerotic diseases of the vascular wall. It is the second-most common abnormality of the renal artery. Although hypertension is the most common presenting symptom, other symptoms, such as pulsatile tinnitus, stroke, chest pain, or abdominal discomfort, may result from other affected vascular beds. Revascularization of the renal artery appears to be effective at lowering blood pressure in many patients with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia. For a long time, the intrarenal pathophysiological changes and mechanisms leading to hypertension had hardly been studied in patients with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia. Recent data, however, has provided more insight into the effects of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia on the intrarenal microvasculature and the intra-renal renin-angiotensin system in these patients. Moreover, these data have changed our view of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to hypertension in patients with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia. In this review, we will discuss recent clinical and scientific developments regarding renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia with an emphasis on its effects on the kidney.

Exercise therapy has long been used for rehabilitation purposes after myocardial infarction (MI) and the benefit of regular physical exercise is also well-established. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed to be more effective than continuous exercise for improving exercise capacity and health-related adaptations to low-volume (LV) and HIIT are also known. Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet (Mediet) has been widely reported to be a model of healthy eating for its contribution to a favorable health status and a better quality of life, reducing overall mortality. This study will investigate the effects of different HIIT programs (high-volume [HV] vs LV) and Mediet recommendations in clinical condition, cardiorespiratory fitness, biomarkers, ventricular function, and perception of quality of life after MI, and compared to an attention control group that is recommended to Mediet and physical activity without supervision sessions.

Exercise therapy has long been used for rehabilitation purposes after myocardial infarction (MI) and the benefit of regular physical exercise is also well-established. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed to be more effective than continuous exercise for improving exercise capacity and health-related adaptations to low-volume (LV) and HIIT are also known. Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet (Mediet) has been widely reported to be a model of healthy eating for its contribution to a favorable health status and a better quality of life, reducing overall mortality. This study will investigate the effects of different HIIT programs (high-volume [HV] vs LV) and Mediet recommendations in clinical condition, cardiorespiratory fitness, biomarkers, ventricular function, and perception of quality of life after MI, and compared to an attention control group that is recommended to Mediet and physical activity without supervision sessions.

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of systemic, noninflammatory, and nonatherosclerotic diseases of the vascular wall. It is the second-most common abnormality of the renal artery. Although hypertension is the most common presenting symptom, other symptoms, such as pulsatile tinnitus, stroke, chest pain, or abdominal discomfort, may result from other affected vascular beds. Revascularization of the renal artery appears to be effective at lowering blood pressure in many patients with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia. For a long time, the intrarenal pathophysiological changes and mechanisms leading to hypertension had hardly been studied in patients with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia. Recent data, however, has provided more insight into the effects of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia on the intrarenal microvasculature and the intra-renal renin-angiotensin system in these patients. Moreover, these data have changed our view of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to hypertension in patients with renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia. In this review, we will discuss recent clinical and scientific developments regarding renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia with an emphasis on its effects on the kidney.

Background: Many trials assessing effects of dietary weight loss on vascular function have been performed without no weight loss control groups and in individuals with obesity-related morbidities. Usually a limited set of vascular function markers has been investigated.Objective: The objective of this study was to examine effects of diet-induced weight loss on various vascular function markers and differences between normal-weight and abdominally obese men at baseline and after weight reduction.Design: Twenty-five healthy, normal-weight men (waist circumference:Results: Compared with the control group, FMD did not change in the weight-loss group, but carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity tended to decrease by 0.5 m/s (P = 0.065). The retinal arteriolar caliber increased by 5 mu m (P <0.001) and the arteriolar-to-venular ratio by 0.02 (P <0.01). Soluble endothelial selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule concentrations decreased (P <0.001). Also, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and blood pressure improved (P <0.05 for all variables). Except for FMD, these markers differed at baseline between normal-weight and abdominally obese men but became comparable after weight loss.Conclusions: In abdominally obese men, dietary weight loss targeting a waist circumference of

Background: Many trials assessing effects of dietary weight loss on vascular function have been performed without no weight loss control groups and in individuals with obesity-related morbidities. Usually a limited set of vascular function markers has been investigated.Objective: The objective of this study was to examine effects of diet-induced weight loss on various vascular function markers and differences between normal-weight and abdominally obese men at baseline and after weight reduction.Design: Twenty-five healthy, normal-weight men (waist circumference:Results: Compared with the control group, FMD did not change in the weight-loss group, but carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity tended to decrease by 0.5 m/s (P = 0.065). The retinal arteriolar caliber increased by 5 mu m (P <0.001) and the arteriolar-to-venular ratio by 0.02 (P <0.01). Soluble endothelial selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule concentrations decreased (P <0.001). Also, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and blood pressure improved (P <0.05 for all variables). Except for FMD, these markers differed at baseline between normal-weight and abdominally obese men but became comparable after weight loss.Conclusions: In abdominally obese men, dietary weight loss targeting a waist circumference of