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Acute autonomic effects of vitamins and fats in male smokers

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 63, pages 246–252 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Vitamins can help improve cardiovascular control. In contrast, smoking works in the opposite fashion, reducing the baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) possibly via oxidative stress. High-fat challenges also impair cardiovascular regulation. Whether vitamins have acute beneficial effects on the baroreflex control of HR in smokers is unclear.

Subjects/Methods:

A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study in 30 male smokers (34.2±6.9 years). Interventions were: (1) moderate (vitamin C (300 mg) and E (75 IU) and folic acid (1 mg)); (2) high doses of vitamins (vitamin C (2 g) and E (800 IU), and folic acid (5 mg)); or, (3) placebo. Vitamins were ingested with cream (a high-fat challenge) or milk (low-fat control). Four hours later, blood was withdrawn and radial pulse wave forms recorded via tonometry. Spontaneous beat-to-beat variations in HR and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were analysed by spectral analysis techniques and sympathovagal control of HR and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were assessed.

Results:

High doses of vitamins increased plasma vitamin C, E and folic acid levels (P<0.05) with no change in SBP, HR or BRS (P>0.05, analysis of variance). Plasma vitamin levels did not correlate with any cardiovascular parameters. Moderate vitamins increased the vagal control of HR (+23%; P<0.05) and cream led to small increases (P<0.05) in SBP (+2 mm Hg) and HR (+2 beats min−1) with no change in BRS.

Conclusions:

In male smokers, circulating antioxidants had no effect on BRS and minor effects on the cardiovascular system were seen following acute fat and vitamin ingestion.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the help rendered by Itske Zijp, Veronique Bianco and Frits Quadt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition and Health, Unilever Food and Health Research Institute, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands

    C I Wright, C I Kroner & R Draijer

  2. Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany

    H Ruediger

  3. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    B J A Janssen

Authors
  1. C I Wright
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  2. H Ruediger
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  3. C I Kroner
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  4. B J A Janssen
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  5. R Draijer
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Correspondence to C I Wright.

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Wright, C., Ruediger, H., Kroner, C. et al. Acute autonomic effects of vitamins and fats in male smokers. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 246–252 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602912

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