The acute effects of passive heat exposure on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the acute effect of passive heat exposure (PHE) on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress (OxS) and inflammatory parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were studied in thermoneutral conditions before and after PHE in a climatic chamber. Pulse wave analysis was used for assessment of central hemodynamic and arterial stiffness parameters. Venous blood samples were obtained to measure OxS and inflammatory parameters.

RESULTS

Rectal temperature increased after PHE exposure compared to baseline: 37.01°C±0.19°C and 36.4°C±0.31°C, respectively (P<0.001). There was a 17% (P<0.05) decrease in large artery elasticity index (from 24.68±5.53 to 20.42±2.65mL/mmHg*10), which was predicted upon normothermic value (r=-0.878, P<0.01). However, no significant changes were found in others arterial stiffness parameters. A 30% (P<0.05) increase occurred in blood IL-6 concentration (from 0.43±0.15 to 0.56±0.23pg/mL), but OxS parameters remained significantly unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes for the first time acute PHE effects on arterial stiffness, inflammation and OxS. PHE significantly decreases large artery elasticity index and increases inflammatory IL-6 level. However, further larger investigations are needed for clarifying acute PHE effects on arterial function and biomarkers.