Abstract

The ageing effect on microvascular integrity, marked by endothelial dysfunction and reduction in exercise tolerance, is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Improved dietary habits, known to reduce morbidity and mortality, are also known to attenuate those ageing effects. This study investigated the effects of combined Mediterranean Diet (MD) and exercise intervention on lower and upper-limb cutaneous microvascular function in older healthy population. Twenty two sedentary healthy participants (age: 55±4) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance test, and were assessed for their upper and lower-limb vascular endothelial cutaneous conductance (CVC) using Laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF) with endothelial-dependent (Acetylcholine Chloride; ACh), and -independent vasodilation (Sodium Nitroprusside; SNP). Participants were then randomized into two groups, MD and non-MD, and followed an 8-week intervention programme, which included discontinuous treadmill running based on each individual’s exertion, twice per week. Exercise training improved CVC in both groups (e.g. 0.42 ± 0.19 vs. 1.50 ± 1.05, and 0.47 ± 0.26 vs. 1.15 ± 0.59 at 1000 μCb for MD and non-MD respectively, p<0.001). This was also combined by improvement in their exercise tolerance indicated by increased ventilatory threshold in both groups (12.2±2.8 vs. 14.8±2.8 and 11.7±2.7 vs. 14.6±3.2 ml.kg-1.min-1for MD and non-MD groups respectively, p<0.05). However, MD group showed greater improvement in endothelial-dependent vasodilation than non-MD (ANCOVA, p=0.02). The present study suggests that compliance with MD, combined with regular moderate exercise, improve age-provoked microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction, and increase exercise tolerance, both responsible for reducing cardiovascular risk in this age-group.