Greater Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Mediated Vasodilation in Women Using Oral Contraceptives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

β-adrenergic receptors play an important role in mitigating the pressor effects of sympathetic nervous system activity in young women. Based on recent data showing oral contraceptive use in women abolishes the relationship between muscle sympathetic nervous system activity and blood pressure, we hypothesized forearm blood flow responses to a β-adrenergic receptor agonist would be greater in young women currently using oral contraceptives (OC+, n = 13) when compared to those not using oral contraceptives (OC-, n = 10).

Methods

Women (18-35 years) were studied during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (days 1-5) or placebo phase of oral contraceptive use. Forearm blood flow (FBF, Doppler ultrasound) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, brachial arte

SUBMITTER: Limberg JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4896959 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature