Cardiovascular Assessment in Human Research

Effect of exercise on vascular function in hypertension patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective

The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of exercise on vascular function in patients with pre- and hypertension.

Methods

A systematic review of articles retrieved via the PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases was conducted. All the randomized controlled trials published between the establishment of the databases and October 2022 were included. Studies that evaluated the effects of exercise intervention on vascular function in patients with pre- and hypertension were selected.

Results

A total of 717 subjects were included in 12 randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis showed that in patients with pre- and hypertension, exercise can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD = -4.89; 95% CI, -7.05 to -2.73; P < 0.00001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD = -3.74; 95% CI, -5.18 to -2.29; P < 0.00001) and can improve endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (MD = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.71-2.61; P < 0.00001), and exercise did not reduce pulse wave velocity (PWV) (MD = 0.03, 95% CI, -0.45-0.50; P = 0.92). Regression analysis showed that changes in exercise-related vascular function were independent of subject medication status, baseline SBP, age and duration of intervention.

Conclusion

Aerobic, resistance, and high-intensity intermittent exercise all significantly improved SBP, DBP, and FMD in pre- and hypertensive patients, however, they were not effective in reducing PWV, and this effect was independent of the subject's medication status, baseline SBP, age and duration of intervention.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022302646.

Intermittent Energy Restriction Is a Feasible, Effective, and Acceptable Intervention to Treat Adolescents with Obesity

BACKGROUND

Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is an effective obesity management strategy in adults.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability of IER in adolescents (aged 12-17 y) with obesity [adult equivalent body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) ≥30].

METHODS

During weeks 1-12 participants followed an IER dietary plan consisting of a very-low-energy diet (VLED) 3 d/wk (500-600 kcal/d) and an eating plan consistent with national dietary guidelines 4 d/wk. For weeks 13-26 participants chose to continue with 1-3 VLED d/wk or follow a prescriptive eating plan. Primary outcomes were feasibility and change in BMI expressed as a percentage of the 95th percentile (BMI %95th percentile) at 12 wk. Secondary outcomes were diet acceptability, body composition, cardiometabolic risk, vascular structure and function, quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory), and eating behaviors [Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ-C)]. Linear mixed models were used to assess change in outcome measures.

RESULTS

Of 45 adolescents invited to participate, 30 adolescents (mean ± SD age: 14.5 ± 1.4 y, female n = 25) with a median BMI of 34.9 (range: 27.7-52.4) were recruited. At 12 wk, 23 participants chose to continue with the VLED 2-3 d/wk, and 21 completed the study, indicating the feasibility of IER. Consistent with intention-to-treat analysis, BMI %95th percentile was reduced at 12 wk (difference in estimated marginal means ± SEMs: -5.6 ± 1.1, P < 0.001) and 26 wk (-5.1 ± 1.9, P = 0.013) compared with baseline. Plasma triglycerides were reduced at 26 wk from baseline (-0.33 ± 0.12 mmol/L, P = 0.03). Body fat percentage reduced between 12 and 26 wk (-1.57% ± 0.76%, P = 0.05). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (-0.06 ± 0.01 mm, P < 0.001) and flow-mediated dilation (absolute increase 0.44% ± 0.11%, P = 0.001) improved between baseline and 12 wk, with reduced CIMT maintained at 26 wk (P < 0.001). DEBQ-C and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores improved throughout the intervention. Nineteen adolescents completed an acceptability interview, rating IER as easy and pleasant to follow (mean ± SD: +2.1 ± 1.2; +1.9 ± 1.2, respectively) on a Likert scale from -4 to +4.

CONCLUSION

IER is a feasible, effective, and acceptable intervention in adolescents with obesity achieving reductions in BMI and cardiovascular disease risk. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12618000200280.