Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6811-0615

Defense Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Rehabilitation and Movement Science

First Advisor

Danielle Kirkman

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research determined that a Western-style meal acts as a stressor to the kidney and contributed to impaired blood pressure and vascular function. Despite an understanding of acute postprandial physiology in humans, studies have not investigated the impact of the time of day of meal consumption on physiology. Methods: Ten participants with elevated or stage-one hypertension underwent a randomized crossover trial with a controlled feeding intervention of a Western-style meal in the morning or the evening. Participants completed a run-in day to standardize diet followed by the experimental day. On day 2, participants completed ambulatory blood pressure, core temperature, sleep and physical activity monitoring, and urine collection. Participants returned to the lab the next day for a follow-up visit. Results: We observed that sodium excretion and proteinuria were elevated after the morning meal phase; however, after the evening meal phase, sodium excretion was not elevated, suggesting the potential for sodium storage overnight. We further observed an increase in blood pressure during the day on the morning meal phase. Following the evening meal challenge, blood pressure elevation was mitigated through protective sodium storage mechanisms. However, there was an increase in resting blood pressure the morning following the evening meal suggesting a delay in sodium excretion. Conclusions: Through this study, we provided additional evidence that a Western-style meal acts as a stressor to the kidney. Our findings suggest that a Western-style meal consumed in the evening may result in sodium storage that could have detrimental long-term effects on cardiovascular health.

Rights

© Natalie J. Bohmke

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-3-2024

Available for download on Sunday, May 03, 2026

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