Effect of Beetroot Juice on Coronary Blood Flow and Walking Performance in PAD



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Peripheral Vascular Disease
Therapuetic Areas:Cardiology / Vascular Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:21 - 85
Updated:1/9/2019
Start Date:December 2015
End Date:December 2022
Contact:David N Proctor, PhD
Email:dnp3@psu.edu
Phone:814-863-0724

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Effects of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Coronary Blood Flow and Walking Performance in Peripheral Arterial Disease

In this study the investigators will test the hypothesis that short-term consumption of
inorganic nitrate (supplied in concentrated beetroot juice) enhances coronary blood flow
responses, large artery hemodynamics, and leg oxygenation/exercise tolerance in patients with
peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Understanding and improving blood flow regulation in the
heart and skeletal muscles of patients with PAD is important because exercise triggers
symptoms of leg pain and substantially raises blood pressure and myocardial demand in these
patients.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality and
negatively affects functional capacity and quality of life for as many as 14 million patients
in the U.S. alone. One open-label study showed that acute consumption of beetroot juice
improved 6 min walk performance, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced leg muscle oxygenation
in PAD patients. However, no studies have rigorously confirmed these findings in a
double-blind manner, nor have the effects of this supplement been investigated (acutely or
short-term) in the coronary circulation of PAD patients.

In addition to studying its effects on graded treadmill walking performance and consequent
large artery vasodilation, the present study will examine the effects of short-term beetroot
juice consumption (twice/day) on both coronary and leg vasodilator (graded calf flexion) and
vasoconstrictor (isometric handgrip, voluntary apnea) responses in patients with PAD.
Participants will randomly consume either nitrate-rich or nitrate-depleted beetroot juice
with a 7 to 14 day wash-out period between. Effects of beetroot juice consumption on plasma
nitrate, nitrite and methemoglobin will also be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

2. Capable of giving informed consent

3. Men and women age 21- 85 years

4. Diagnosed with PAD (i.e., ankle-brachial index below 0.9)

5. Fontaine stage II or less - no pain while resting

6. Satisfactory history and physical exam

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children

2. Pregnant or nursing women

3. Patients taking nitroglycerine or nitrate preparations

4. Patients taking phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil or tadalafil

5. Patients taking proton pump inhibitors

6. Ejection fraction < 40%

7. Uncontrolled hypertension

8. Uncontrolled diabetes

9. Myocardial infarction within past 6 months or unstable angina

10. Severe lung disease (i.e., on supplemental oxygen or frequently use rescue inhalers)

11. Abnormality in hemoglobin or hematocrit or methemoglobin

12. Impaired renal function

13. Impaired liver function

14. History or diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus

15. Known allergy to beetroot juice or lemon juice

16. Inability to walk on a treadmill at a moderate pace (2.0 miles/hour)
We found this trial at
1
site
Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
Phone: 717-531-7455
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Hershey, PA
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