Enhanced peripheral vasodilation in humans after a fatty meal.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to study the effects of a fatty meal on vascular reactivity, including endothelial function and maximal vasodilation.


BACKGROUND
Recent reports regarding the physiological changes in peripheral vasculature after eating a fatty meal have been controversial.


METHODS
Twelve volunteers were studied before, 3 h after, and 6 h after a high-fat meal (1030 kcal, 61 g fat) rich in saturated fatty acids, and 10 were restudied after a similar meal rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. Endothelial function was assessed as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery using ultrasound. Resting and postischemic forearm blood flow (FBF) were recorded using venous occlusion strain-gauge plethysmography, before, and every 10 to 15 s after, 5 min upper arm ischemia.


RESULTS
Brachial artery basal diameter, resting FBF and postischemic hyperemia increased after high-fat meals (all p<0.001), whereas FMD did not change. The increase in resting FBF correlated with increases in postprandial insulin (r = 0.80, p<0.002) and triglyceride (r = 0.77, p<0.005) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that eating a fatty meal induces vasodilation and increases resting and stimulated FBF and that these observations are probably mediated by postprandial changes in insulin and/or triglyceride levels. The metabolic changes that occur after meals are not associated with impaired endothelial nitric oxide release in the conduit arteries.
Raitakari
O T
OT
Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Lai
N
N
Griffiths
K
K
McCredie
R
R
Sullivan
D
D
Celermajer
D S
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010991:Plethysmography; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D006710:Homocysteine; D002784:Cholesterol