Increased systemic endothelial-dependent microvascular reactivity after ingestion of a high-carbohydrate snack in young, healthy volunteers

Microvasc Res. 2020 May:129:103962. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2019.103962. Epub 2019 Nov 28.

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the acute effect of a high-carbohydrate snack (HCS) on systemic microvascular function of healthy, young volunteers, using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI).

Methods: Cutaneous microvascular blood flow was assessed in the forearm with LSCI coupled to iontophoresis of acetylcholine, using increasing anodal currents, before and after (25 min) the ingestion of a HCS or water (control). Twenty volunteers (10 male) received a single HCS (70 g of carbohydrates) in the fasting state in the morning.

Results: The area under the curve (AUC) of acetylcholine-induced microvascular vasodilation increased from 17,847 ± 4539 to 20,315 ± 7168 arbitrary perfusion units/s (P = 0.03) after ingestion of a HCS, but was unchanged after the ingestion of water (P = 0.22).

Conclusion: A single snack consisting on an acute oral load of carbohydrates induced a significant increase of endothelium-dependent microvascular vasodilation in healthy, young subjects.

Keywords: High carbohydrate snack; Laser speckle contrast imaging; Laser-based methods; Microvascular endothelial function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
  • Female
  • Forearm
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microcirculation*
  • Microvessels / physiology*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Skin / blood supply*
  • Snacks*
  • Time Factors
  • Vasodilation*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates