EFFECTS OF DIET ON ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a non-invasive method of measuring the vascular endothelial function which is to release Nitric Oxide and thus cause a relaxation of the smooth muscle in the arterial wall leading to vascular dilation. This also correlates with the function of the coronary artery endothelium. This function of the endothelium is blunted in situations of atherosclerotic risks and also overt atherosclerosis. In this present study we compare the effects of a low carbohydrate diet or low-fat diet on conduit vessel function. For this we are using an equally effective weight reduction regimen using the traditional low-fat diet and a low carbohydrate diet, in separate participants and following them over a period of six weeks. We hypothesize that although both the different types of diets allow weight loss the low-fat diet will improve the endothelial function where as the low carbohydrate diet will intensify endothelial dysfunction.