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The effect of hypohydration on endothelial function in young healthy adults

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Abstract

Purpose

Hypohydration has been suggested as a predisposing factor for several pathologies including cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While CVD are the leading cause of death worldwide, no study has investigated whether acute hypohydration affects endothelial function and cardiovascular function.

Methods

Ten young, healthy males participated in this crossover study (age: 24.3 ± 2.3 year; weight: 80.8 ± 5.3 kg; BMI: 24.3 ± 0.4 kg m−2). Each subject completed two measurements of endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in euhydrated and hypohydrated state separated by 24 h. Following baseline assessment of hydration status and FMD, the subjects completed 100 min of low-intensity intermittent walking exercise to achieve hypohydration of −2 % of individual body mass. For the rest of the day, a standardized, low water content diet was provided. The following morning, hydration markers and endothelial function were recorded.

Results

Hypohydration by −1.9 ± 0.1 % of body mass resulted in decreased plasma volume by −3.5 ± 1.8 % and increased plasma osmolality by 9 ± 2 mmol kg−1 (P < 0.001). FMD as a response to hypohydration decreased by −26.8 ± 3.9 % (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The data suggested that a small degree of hypohydration induced by moderate exercise and fluid restriction significantly impaired endothelial function.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the laboratory staff at Alexandra Hospital for their assistance. We gratefully also thank Dr. Evan C. Johnson & Lisa T. Jansen for their contribution to the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece

    Giannis Arnaoutis, Nikolaos Stratakis & Labros S. Sidossis

  2. Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA

    Stavros A. Kavouras

  3. Vascular Laboratory, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra University Hospital, Athens, Greece

    Marita Likka, Asimina Mitrakou, Christos Papamichael & Kimon Stamatelopoulos

  4. Department of Exercise Science and Sports Studies, Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA

    Labros S. Sidossis

Authors
  1. Giannis Arnaoutis
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  2. Stavros A. Kavouras
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Correspondence to Stavros A. Kavouras.

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SAK has active grants with Danone Research.

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Arnaoutis, G., Kavouras, S.A., Stratakis, N. et al. The effect of hypohydration on endothelial function in young healthy adults. Eur J Nutr 56, 1211–1217 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1170-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1170-8

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