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.