Non Invasive Measurement of the Haemodynamic Parameters and of the Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Levels
Condition: Hemodynamic Instability; Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
MeSH terms: Skin Diseases
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in accumulation of AGEs (advanced
      glycation end-products) in the tissues of individuals who smoke in comparison with
      individuals who do not as well as of individuals who consume caffeine versus those who do
      not, and finally to examine the probable differences concerning participants' haemodynamic
      parameters.
    

Detailed description: 
      Materials and methods Study population The study population consisted of students of Health
      Care Professions who accepted to participate in the study and gave their informed consent for
      their participation. The population study included healthy volunteers without cardiovascular
      problems, other chronic or systemic diseases. Participants were divided into 3 intervention
      groups: the first group are non-smokers who consume caffeine on daily basis, the second group
      are smokers who do not consume caffeine on daily basis, and the third group are smokers who
      consume caffeine on daily basis. Additionally, there was a control group consisting of non
      smoking students and no caffeine users on daily basis.

      Methodology A complete medical history with information about the health status of the
      subjects, drug use and the main risk factors for cardiovascular conditions was recorded.
      Details concerning smoking and drinking habits, caffeine intake and other medical conditions
      and conditions from the individual and family history were retrieved, by filling-in
      self-reporting questionnaires. Information about dietary habits and physical activity of the
      subjects was also recorded. Body weight and height of all participants were measured. Also,
      participants were informed that on the day of the scheduled measurements, they should not
      have breakfast nor smoke for 2 hours (for smokers) prior to measurements and finally abstain
      from any physical activity. Inclusion criteria in the group of smokers were cigarette smoking
      of more than 10 cigarettes/day for at least 2 years.

      Skin- autofluorescence measurement Tissue AGEs accumulation was assessed using a validated
      skin-autofluorescence (skin-AF) device, namely AGE Reader. In short, the AGE reader
      illuminates a skin surface of approximately 4 cm2, guarded against surrounding light, with an
      excitation light source between 300 and 420 nm (peak excitation ~370 nm). Skin-AF was
      measured at the volar side of the lower arm at approximately 10-15 cm below the elbow fold.
      Care had been taken to perform the measurement at normal skin site (without visible vessels,
      scars, lichenification, or other skin abnormalities). The investigators performed three
      measurements with a 5min interval between them and the investigators calculated the mean
      value of three measurements. For the individuals who smoked, these measurements were repeated
      2 hours after the smoking of one cigarette and for individuals who consumed caffeine,
      measurements were repeated after the intake of 100 mg caffeine (delivered as a beverage).
      This was done to check whether there was a change in accumulation of AGEs following cigarette
      smoking and caffeine intake.

      Haemodynamic parameters' measurement The haemodynamic parameters' measurement included
      measurement of cardiac output, stroke volume, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean
      pressure, pulse rate, interbeat intervals, arterial compliance and systemic vascular
      resistance. These measurements were performed with the Finometer device (FMS, Finapress
      Medical System, BV, Netherlands), while the data were recorded by using the Beatscope, a
      specially designed software, to transfer data to the PC and to process pressure waveform
      files. The measurements were performed by using a non-invasive method via a finger cuff,
      which was wrapped around the finger of the individual, who was in a lying down position for
      10 min before the measurements in a room of a sound-attenuated, temperature-controlled
      environment, in order to ensure that all measurements will be performed under constant and
      stable conditions. Subsequently, the haemodynamic parameters' measurement was performed for
      15 min in a sitting position. Additionally, for smokers the measurements were repeated after
      15-30 min since smoking one cigarette and after 45 min for individuals who consumed caffeine.
    

Intervention name(s): caffeine intake; cigarette smoking; Caffeine intake and Cigarette smoking
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The subjects of this group should intake 100 mg of caffeine after the first measurement of haemodynamic parameters with the Finometer device and after the first measurement of the advanced glycation end products accumulation with AgeReader device.; The subjects of this group should smoke one cigarette after the first measurement of haemodynamic parameters with the Finometer device and after the first measurement of the advanced glycation end products accumulation with AgeReader device.; The subjects of this group should smoke one cigarette and should consume 100 mg of caffeine after the first measurement of haemodynamic parameters with the Finometer device and after the first measurement of the advanced glycation end products accumulation with AgeReader device.
Intervention MeSH terms: Caffeine
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: smoking; caffeine intake; haemodynamic parameters; Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs); Non-invasive measurements devices