Event Title
The Combined Effects of Niacin and Caffeine in Doses Common in Energy Drinks on the Vasoactivity of Porcine Coronary Arteries.
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biomedical Sciences, Biology
Mentor Information
Francis Sylvester, sylvestf@gvsu.edu
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Location
Henry Hall Atrium 56
Start Date
13-4-2011 12:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 1:00 PM
Keywords
Health and Wellness, Health, Illness, and Healing, Life Science
Abstract
Caffeine, a known vasoconstrictor, is an almost universal ingredient in energy drinks. While the effects of caffeine on blood vessels have been studied in depth, little is known about the vasoactivity of many of the other, less common ingredients found in energy drinks, which are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this ring study using porcine coronary arteries, the effects of niacin (Vitamin B3), will be studied both singularly, and in conjunction with caffeine. Niacin is reported to cause flushing of the skin when taken in high doses, suggesting that it is a vasodilator. If this is the case, its effect would be opposite to that of caffeine. With both of these ingredients present in many popular energy drinks, it is the purpose of this study to determine which plays a more dominant role in the vasoactivity of blood vessles when ingested.
The Combined Effects of Niacin and Caffeine in Doses Common in Energy Drinks on the Vasoactivity of Porcine Coronary Arteries.
Henry Hall Atrium 56
Caffeine, a known vasoconstrictor, is an almost universal ingredient in energy drinks. While the effects of caffeine on blood vessels have been studied in depth, little is known about the vasoactivity of many of the other, less common ingredients found in energy drinks, which are unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this ring study using porcine coronary arteries, the effects of niacin (Vitamin B3), will be studied both singularly, and in conjunction with caffeine. Niacin is reported to cause flushing of the skin when taken in high doses, suggesting that it is a vasodilator. If this is the case, its effect would be opposite to that of caffeine. With both of these ingredients present in many popular energy drinks, it is the purpose of this study to determine which plays a more dominant role in the vasoactivity of blood vessles when ingested.