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The influence of vitamin C on the interaction between acute mental stress and endothelial function

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European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To determine whether orally administered vitamin C attenuates expected mental stress-induced reductions in brachial artery endothelial function as measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD).

Methods

Fifteen men (21 ± 2 years) were given 1000 mg of vitamin C or placebo over two visits in a randomized, double-blinded, within-subject design. Acute mental stress was induced using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Saliva samples for cortisol determination and FMD measures were obtained at baseline, pre-TSST, and 30 and 90-min post-TSST. An additional saliva sample was obtained immediately post-TSST. Cardiovascular stress reactivity was characterized by changes in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP).

Results

A significant stress response was elicited by the TSST in both conditions [MAP, HR, and salivary cortisol increased (p < 0.001)]. Overall FMD did not differ pre- vs. post-stress (time: p = 0.631) and there was no effect of vitamin C (condition: p = 0.792) (interaction between time and condition, p = 0.573). However, there was a correlation between cortisol reactivity and changes in FMD from pre- to post-stress in the placebo condition (r 2 = 0.66, p < 0.001) that was abolished in the vitamin C condition (r 2 = 0.02, p = 0.612).

Conclusion

Acute mental stress did not impair endothelial function, and vitamin C disrupted the relationship between cortisol reactivity and changes in FMD post-stress. This suggests that acute mental stress does not universally impair endothelial function and that reactive oxygen species signaling may influence the interaction between FMD and stress responses.

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Abbreviations

absFMD:

Absolute FMD

AUC:

Area under the curve

BH4:

Tetrahydrobiopterin

BMI:

Body mass index

C:

Condition

EDHF:

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunoassay

eNOS:

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase

FMD:

Flow-mediated dilation

HR:

Heart rate

MAP:

Mean arterial pressure

NO:

Nitric oxide

ONOO-:

Peroxynitrite

PAR:

Physical activity recall

RH:

Reactive hyperemia

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SR:

Shear rate

TSST:

Trier Social Stress Test

TxC:

Time by condition

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant to K. E. Pyke. Meghan D. Plotnick was funded by an NSERC Canadian Graduate Scholarship-Master’s Program. The authors would like to acknowledge Brittany Edgett, Dr. Kathryn Wynne-Edwards, and Dr. Trisha Scribbans for their help in the analysis of salivary cortisol samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division St., Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Meghan D. Plotnick, Katrina A. D’Urzo, Brendon J. Gurd & Kyra E. Pyke

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  1. Meghan D. Plotnick
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  2. Katrina A. D’Urzo
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  3. Brendon J. Gurd
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  4. Kyra E. Pyke
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Correspondence to Kyra E. Pyke.

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Communicated by Massimo Pagani.

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Plotnick, M.D., D’Urzo, K.A., Gurd, B.J. et al. The influence of vitamin C on the interaction between acute mental stress and endothelial function. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 1657–1668 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3655-4

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