P172 VOLUNTARY LIQUORICE INGESTION INCREASES BLOOD PRESSURE VIA MULTIPLE MECHANISMS: INCREASED VOLUME LOAD, PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL RESISTANCE, AND DECREASED AORTIC COMPLIANCE

Abstract

Objectives: Liquorice consumption elevates blood pressure [1–3], but the liquorice-induced haemodynamic changes in the upright position are unknown. We investigated haemodynamics after liquorice exposure in healthy volunteers during orthostatic challenge. Methods: Haemodynamics were recorded from 22 normotensive subjects during passive 10- minute head-up tilt before and after two weeks of liquorice consumption (glycyrrhizin dose 290–370 mg/day) using radial pulse wave analysis, whole-body impedance cardiography, and spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Thirty age-matched healthy subjects maintaining their habitual diet served as controls. Results: Liquorice ingestion elevated radial systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.018) blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance (p = 0.037). During orthostatic challenge, heart rate increased less after the liquorice versus control diet (p = 0.003) and low frequency power of heart rate variability decreased within the liquorice group (p = 0.034). Liquorice intake increased central pulse pressure (p < 0.001) and augmentation index (p = 0.002) supine and upright, but in the upright position the elevation of augmentation index was accentuated (p = 0.007). Liquorice diet also increased extracellular fluid volume (p = 0.024) and aortic to popliteal pulse wave velocity (p = 0.027), and aortic characteristic impedance in the upright position (p = 0.002). Conclusions: In addition to increased extracellular fluid volume and large arterial stiffness, two weeks of liquorice ingestion elevated systemic vascular resistance and augmentation index. Measurements performed at rest may underestimate the haemodynamic effects of liquorice ingestion, as enhanced central wave reflection and reduced chronotropic response were especially observed in the upright position.