A finger probe is placed on the index finger of each hand, and the peripheral arterial tone (PAT) is recorded from both hands throughout the study. Endothelial function is assessed using the reactive hyperemia technique. Briefly, measurements of the pulse-wave amplitude were obtained during 5 min as baseline (at rest), followed by 5 min of blood flow occlusion in one arm by a cuff that was inflated on the upper arm to suprasystolic pressure (50 mmHg above systolic pressure) and then released to induce reactive (flow-mediated) hyperemia, for 10 min. The other arm remained un-occluded as a reference to correct for potential systemic vasomotor changes.