Effect of a single high-fat meal on endothelial function in healthy subjects.

A single high-fat meal may impair flow-dependent vasoactivity and endothelial function in healthy individuals.

This study investigated the effect of a single high-fat meal on endothelial function in healthy individuals. 10 healthy subjects with normal cholesterol levels were fed with single isocaloric high- and low-fat diets. Using 7.5-MHz ultrasound, researchers assessed the endothelial function (in the form of flow-mediated vasoactivity) of the brachial artery in each subject. The subjects’ serum glucose and lipoprotein levels were also measured before and after meals.

Researchers observed that high-fat meals increased the serum concentrations of triglycerides in all the subjects, but it reduced their flow-dependent vasoactivity. On the other hand, low-fat diet had no effect on their lipoprotein levels and endothelial function. These findings provide evidence that a single high-fat meal may cause a decline in endothelial function in healthy individuals.