GENDER-RELATED CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO COLD PRESSOR TEST IN NORMOTENSIVE SUBJECTS

Abstract

We have studied 20 normotensive subjects under metolopramide (MTC) treatment. MTC was administered by intravenous infusion during a 30-min period at the dose of 7.5 μg kg 1 min-1. Two 5% glucose infusion 30-min periods, before and after MTC, were used. Subjects were asked to immerse their right hands in ice water (0–4°C) for 60 s during each protocol period. Blood pressure was decreased by MTC before the cold pressor test (CPT). During the MTC period, there was a higher pressor response to cold stress, which was only significant for female subjects. Our results suggest that gender-dependent MTC-induced vascular hyperreactivity attributed to a dopaminergic mechanism is probably related to estrogen, progesterone, or other active metabolic breakdown products or possibly an undescribed humoral influence.