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document
Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on vascular functions during 60-day head-down bed rest . PURPOSE Chinese herbal medicine is a promising countermeasure against cardiovascular dysfunction associated with a sedentary lifestyle . We examined the impact of the Chinese herb , Taikong Yangxin , on the micro- and macrovascular dysfunction associated with a 60-day bed rest . METHODS Fourteen healthy men were randomly divided into two groups : those given herbal supplement , and the control group ; the two groups underwent a 60-day bed rest . The macrovasculature was assessed by sonography . Skin microvascular functions were assessed with laser Doppler . The plasma level of endothelial microparticles ( EMPs ) , markers of endothelial injury , was determined . RESULTS Bed rest induced a 33 % decrease in the femoral artery diameter and compliance whereas carotid wall thickness , diameter , and compliance remained unchanged . The early phase of endothelium-dependent vasodilation to ACh was unmodified by bed rest , while the late phase was reduced by 30 % along with a twofold increase in EMPs . In those given Taikong Yangxin , the early phase was amplified by 2.5-fold , and the effects of bed rest on the late phase were prevented . CONCLUSION These findings indicate that Taikong Yangxin ameliorates endothelium-dependent vasodilation , likely by improving the NO pathway . The study suggests Taikong Yangxin as a new countermeasure to prevent the changes in microvascular function induced by physical inactivity .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Chinese herbal medicine
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Chinese herbal medicine
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Chinese herb , Taikong Yangxin
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Intervention_Pharmacological
herbal supplement
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Intervention_Educational
60-day bed rest
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Taikong Yangxin
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Outcome_Physical
vascular functions
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Outcome_Physical
cardiovascular dysfunction
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Outcome_Physical
micro- and macrovascular dysfunction
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Outcome_Physical
macrovasculature
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Outcome_Physical
Skin microvascular functions
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Outcome_Physical
plasma level of endothelial microparticles ( EMPs )
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Outcome_Physical
endothelial injury
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Outcome_Physical
femoral artery diameter
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Outcome_Mental
compliance
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Outcome_Physical
carotid wall thickness , diameter
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Outcome_Mental
compliance
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Outcome_Physical
early phase of endothelium-dependent vasodilation to ACh
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Outcome_Physical
late phase
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Outcome_Physical
early phase
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Outcome_Physical
effects of bed rest
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Outcome_Physical
endothelium-dependent vasodilation
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Outcome_Physical
microvascular function
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Participant_Condition
cardiovascular dysfunction
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Participant_Sample-size
Fourteen
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Participant_Sex
men