Multi-flavanoid Supplementation Alone Has No Effect On Resting Cardiac Autonomic Modulation In Young Pre-Hypertensive Individuals

Antioxidant supplementation has been shown to induce positive benefits on cardiovascular health including reductions in blood pressure (BP) mediated by decreases in reactive oxygen species. The autonomic nervous system plays a role in regulating blood pressure via changes in vagal tone. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of a unique multi-flavanoid supplement on cardiac autonomic modulation in pre-hypertensive, college-aged individuals. METHODS: 20 Pre-hypertensive college students were randomly assigned to either a placebo (Pla, 21.6±0.6 years n=10) or treatment group (trt, 20.7±0.3 years, n=10). The antioxidant supplement included 1000 mg quercetin, 120 mg epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), 400 mg isoquercetin, and 400 mg omega-3 fatty acids. The subjects were asked to report to the lab for baseline measurements then prior to, and following 2 weeks of either Pla or trt supplementation. Beat to beat blood pressure was measured with their left arm while a 3-lead EKG (modified CM5) recorded low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and total power (TP) for 10 minutes during supine rest in a dimly lit room. RESULTS: There was a small but statistically insignificant (NSD) decrease in mean arterial pressure in the trt group with no change in the Pla group (Pla 88.7 ± 4 to 90.3 ± 4 mmHg vs. trt group 91 ± 5 to 88.9 ± 5 mmHg respectively, p=0.08), however no changes in cardiac autonomic modulation (NSD in LF:HF, TP or normalized data) in either the Pla or trt groups was found. CONCLUSION: The multiflavanoid supplement did not significantly decrease blood pressure and showed no changes in cardiac autonomic function when compared to the placebo group. While MAP was not statistically significant, small decreases in MAP may result in significant physiological reductions in cardiovascular risk factors. Supported by grant from BeActive/Appalachian Partnership (Scott Collier, PI).