Effect of aspirin on acute changes in peripheral arterial stiffness and endothelial function following exertional heat stress in firefighters: The factorial group results of the Enhanced Firefighter Rehab Trial.
Peripheral arterial stiffness and endothelial function, which are independent predictors of cardiac events, are abnormal in firefighters. We examined the effects of aspirin on peripheral arterial stiffness and endothelial function in firefighters. Fifty-two firefighters were randomized to receive daily 81 mg aspirin or placebo for 14 days before treadmill exercise in thermal protection clothing, and a single dose of 325 mg aspirin or placebo immediately following exertion. Peripheral arterial augmentation index adjusted for a heart rate of 75 (AI75) and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) were determined immediately before, and 30, 60, and 90 minutes after exertion. Low-dose aspirin was associated with lower AI75 (-15.25±9.25 vs -8.08±10.70, p=0.014) but not RHI. On repeated measures analysis, treatment with low-dose aspirin before, but not single-dose aspirin after exertion, was associated with lower AI75 following exertional heat stress (p=0.018). Low-dose aspirin improved peripheral arterial stiffness and wave reflection but not endothelial function in firefighters.
The Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA olafiranyeo@upmc.edu.
Oladipupo
O
Olafiranye
Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
David
D
Hostler
Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Daniel G
DG
Winger
Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Li
L
Wang
The Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Steven E
SE
Reis
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001241:Aspirin
aspirin; firefighting; heat stress; subclinical vascular dysfunction