Doctoral Thesis
Effects of hyperglycaemia and high adiposity on pain modulation and cardiovascular function in adults
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
2024
Abstract
Background: More than 15% of people with diabetes develop chronic pain. Hyperglycaemia and high adiposity are risk factors for pain in diabetes, possibly because both interfere with pain modulation. The aim of this PhD project was to examine the effects of hyperglycaemia and high adiposity on conditioned pain modulation (primary aim) and cardiovascular function (secondary aim) in healthy adults and others with elevated glycated haemoglobin levels (a risk factor for diabetes).
Findings: In Study 1, ingesting 75-g glucose weakened pressure pain inhibition induced by cold-water immersion of both feet and interfered with parasympathetic activity (measured by heart rate variability) in healthy young adults with high adiposity (n = 20) but not in those with normal adiposity (n = 24) determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The next aim was to replicate the results in people with elevated glycated haemoglobin (prediabetes or type 2 diabetes); however, they might have altered sensations in their feet (unsuitable for cold-water immersion). Thus, in Study 2, whether applying an ice cube at the temple area could induce pain inhibition was examined in 40 healthy young adults. Temple cooling inhibited pressure pain immediately after cooling ceased, making it a suitable alternative conditioning stimulus in the conditioned pain modulation paradigm. In Study 3, ingesting 37.5-g glucose weakened temple-cooling-induced pressure pain inhibition and interfered with parasympathetic activity in 64 pain-free adults over age 30 years with or without high adiposity or elevated glycated haemoglobin. Glucose-induced reduction in pressure pain inhibition was associated with a higher waist/hip ratio, suggesting a role of central obesity. Glucose ingestion did not affect forearm blood vessel function measured by reactive hyperaemia.
Details
- Title
- Effects of hyperglycaemia and high adiposity on pain modulation and cardiovascular function in adults
- Authors/Creators
- Di Ye
- Contributors
- Peter Drummond (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Healthy AgeingTimothy Fairchild (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative TherapeuticsDr Lechi Vo (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Healthy Ageing
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Identifiers
- 991005652870107891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology; Centre for Healthy Ageing
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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