The main purpose of this study is to determine if acute beetroot juice supplementation reduces peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. All subjects will consume low-dose (BRL), higher-dose (BRH), and placebo (BRP) beetroot juice randomly on three independent study visits. Beetroot juice also improves blood flow thus, the investigators will also measure blood flow to the carotid chemoreceptors.
Four-weeks of daily beetroot juice supplementation reduces peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in healthy older adults who have 'normal' responses to acute hypoxia. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea have exaggerated peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity. It remains unknown if beetroot juice supplementation reduces peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, increasing blood flow to the peripheral chemoreceptors reduces sensitivity. Given that beetroot juice improves blood flow, the investigators will also measure common carotid artery blood flow at rest and during hypoxia.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
21
Before administering beetroot juice to subjects.
After administering beetroot juice to subjects.
Medical Education Building
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Changes in peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity
The ventilatory response to acute hypoxia will be measured via pneumotachometer.
Time frame: Before and after consuming all supplements (within three hours)
Changes in common carotid artery blood flow
Blood flow through the common carotid artery before and during hypoxia measured via Doppler ultrasound
Time frame: Before and after consuming all supplements (within three hours)
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