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Weggen JB, Hogwood AC, Decker KP, Darling AM, Chiu A, Richardson J, Garten RS. Vascular Responses to Passive and Active Movement in Premenopausal Females: Comparisons across Sex and Menstrual Cycle Phase. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:900-910. [PMID: 36728956 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adequate, robust vascular responses to passive and active movement represent two distinct components linked to normal, healthy cardiovascular function. Currently, limited research exists determining if these vascular responses are altered in premenopausal females (PMF) when compared across sex or menstrual cycle phase. METHODS Vascular responses to passive leg movement (PLM) and handgrip (HG) exercise were assessed in PMF ( n = 21) and age-matched men ( n = 21). A subset of PMF subjects ( n = 11) completed both assessments during the early and late follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Microvascular function was assessed during PLM via changes in leg blood flow, and during HG exercise, via steady-state arm vascular conductance. Macrovascular (brachial artery [BA]) function was assessed during HG exercise via BA dilation responses as well as BA shear rate-dilation slopes. RESULTS Leg microvascular function, determined by PLM, was not different between sexes or across menstrual cycle phase. However, arm microvascular function, demonstrated by arm vascular conductance, was lower in PMF compared with men at rest and during HG exercise. Macrovascular function was not different between sexes or across menstrual cycle phase. CONCLUSIONS This study identified similar vascular function across sex and menstrual cycle phase seen in microvasculature of the leg and macrovascular (BA) of the arm. Although arm microvascular function was unaltered by menstrual cycle phase in PMF, it was revealed to be significantly lower when compared with age-matched men highlighting a sex difference in vascular/blood flow regulation during small muscle mass exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B Weggen
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Austin C Hogwood
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Kevin P Decker
- Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Ashley M Darling
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
| | - Alex Chiu
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Jacob Richardson
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Ryan S Garten
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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Williams JS, Dunford EC, MacDonald MJ. Impact of the menstrual cycle on peripheral vascular function in premenopausal women: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H1327-H1337. [PMID: 33064553 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00341.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Fluctuations in endogenous hormones estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle may offer vasoprotection for endothelial and smooth muscle (VSM) function. While numerous studies have been published, the results are conflicting, leaving our understanding of the impact of the menstrual cycle on vascular function unclear. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to consolidate available research exploring the role of the menstrual cycle on peripheral vascular function. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE was performed for articles evaluating peripheral endothelial and VSM function across the natural menstrual cycle: early follicular (EF) phase versus late follicular (LF), early luteal, mid luteal, or late luteal. A meta-analysis examined the effect of the menstrual cycle on the standardized mean difference (SMD) of the outcome measures. Analysis from 30 studies (n = 1,363 women) observed a "very low" certainty of evidence that endothelial function increased in the LF phase (SMD: 0.45, P = 0.0001), with differences observed in the macrovasculature but not in the microvasculature (SMD: 0.57, P = 0.0003, I2 = 84%; SMD: 0.21, P = 0.17, I2 = 34%, respectively). However, these results are partially explained by differences in flow-mediated dilation [e.g., discrete (SMD: 0.86, P = 0.001) vs. continuous peak diameter assessment (SMD: 0.25, P = 0.30)] and/or menstrual cycle phase methodologies. There was a "very low" certainty that endothelial function was largely unchanged in the luteal phases, and VSM was unchanged across the cycle. The menstrual cycle appears to have a small effect on macrovascular endothelial function but not on microvascular or VSM function; however, these results can be partially attributed to methodological differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Williams
- Vascular Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily C Dunford
- Vascular Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maureen J MacDonald
- Vascular Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Mattu AT, MacInnis MJ, Doyle‐Baker PK, Murias JM. Effects of the menstrual and oral contraceptive cycle phases on microvascular reperfusion. Exp Physiol 2019; 105:184-191. [DOI: 10.1113/ep088135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anmol T. Mattu
- Faculty of Kinesiology University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
| | | | - Patricia K. Doyle‐Baker
- Faculty of Kinesiology University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
- Faculty of Environmental Design University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
| | - Juan M. Murias
- Faculty of Kinesiology University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
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Shenouda N, Priest SE, Rizzuto VI, MacDonald MJ. Brachial artery endothelial function is stable across a menstrual and oral contraceptive pill cycle but lower in premenopausal women than in age-matched men. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 315:H366-H374. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00102.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Sex hormone concentrations differ between men, premenopausal women with natural menstrual cycles (NAT), and premenopausal women using oral contraceptive pills (OCP), as well as across menstrual or OCP phases. This study sought to investigate how differences in sex hormones, particularly estradiol, between men and women and across cycle phases might influence brachial artery endothelial function. Fifty-three healthy adults (22 ± 3 yr, 20 men, 15 NAT women, and 18 second-, third-, or fourth-generation OCP women) underwent assessments of sex hormones and endothelial [flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test] and smooth muscle [nitroglycerin (NTG) test] function. Men were tested three times at 1-wk intervals, and women were tested three times throughout a single menstrual or OCP cycle (NAT: menstrual, midfollicular, and luteal phases and OCP: placebo/no pill, “early”, and “late” active pill phases). Endogenous estradiol concentration was comparable between men and women in their NAT menstrual or OCP placebo phase ( P = 0.36) but increased throughout a NAT cycle ( P < 0.001). Allometrically scaled FMD did not change across a NAT or OCP cycle but was lower in both groups of women than in men ( P = 0.005), whereas scaled NTG was lower only in NAT women ( P = 0.001). Changes in estradiol across a NAT cycle were not associated with changes in relative FMD ( r2 = 0.01, P = 0.62) or NTG ( r2 = 0.09, P = 0.13). Duration of OCP use was negatively associated with the average relative FMD for second-generation OCP users only ( r = −0.65, P = 0.04). Our findings suggest that brachial endothelial function is unaffected by cyclic hormonal changes in premenopausal women but may be negatively impacted by longer-term use of second-generation OCPs. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that brachial artery flow-mediated dilation does not change across a menstrual or oral contraceptive pill cycle in premenopausal women but is lower in women than in men. Although unaffected by within-cycle changes in estradiol, brachial flow-mediated dilation is negatively correlated with duration of oral contraceptive pill use for second-generation pills. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/behind-the-bench-episode-2/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninette Shenouda
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stacey E. Priest
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa I. Rizzuto
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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D'Urzo KA, King TJ, Williams JS, Silvester MD, Pyke KE. The impact of menstrual phase on brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation during handgrip exercise in healthy premenopausal women. Exp Physiol 2017; 103:291-302. [DOI: 10.1113/ep086311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina A. D'Urzo
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies; Queen's University; Kingston Ontario Canada
| | - Trevor J. King
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies; Queen's University; Kingston Ontario Canada
| | - Jennifer S. Williams
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies; Queen's University; Kingston Ontario Canada
| | - Morgan D. Silvester
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies; Queen's University; Kingston Ontario Canada
| | - Kyra E. Pyke
- Cardiovascular Stress Response Laboratory, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies; Queen's University; Kingston Ontario Canada
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Ludwig A, Jochmann N, Kertesz A, Kuhn C, Mueller S, Gericke C, Baumann G, Stangl K, Stangl V. Smoking decreases the level of circulating CD34+ progenitor cells in young healthy women--a pilot study. BMC Womens Health 2010; 10:20. [PMID: 20509965 PMCID: PMC2891626 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-10-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2009] [Accepted: 05/30/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decreased levels of circulating bone marrow-derived progenitor cells have been associated with risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis in young women. The aim of this pilot study was to assess in healthy premenopausal women without other risk factors for cardiovascular disease the influence of nicotine abuse on the number of circulating progenitor cells in relation to endothelial function. METHODS The number of endothelial progenitor cells, measured as colony-forming units in a cell-culture assay (EPC-CFU) and the number of circulating CD34 + and CD34 + /CD133 + cells, measured by flow cytometry, was estimated in 32 women at the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. In addition, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed as a marker for vascular function. In a subgroup of these women (n = 20), progenitor cells were also investigated at the mid-follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS Compared to non-smokers, the abundance of circulating CD34 + cells was significantly lower in smoking women in the menstrual, mid-luteal, and mid-follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. The number of CD34 + progenitor cells was revealed to have significant positive correlation with FMD in young healthy women, whereas CD34 + /CD133 + progenitor cells and EPC-CFU showed no significant correlation. CONCLUSION The number of CD34 + progenitor cells positively correlates with FMD in young healthy women and is decreased by smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Ludwig
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicoline Jochmann
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andras Kertesz
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Kuhn
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Mueller
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Gericke
- Institut für Biometrie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gert Baumann
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl Stangl
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Stangl
- Med. Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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