The Influence of Race and MitoQ Supplementation on Skin Blood Flow in the Cold

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female, age 18-40

• In good health as determined by OMSO (Office of Medical Support and Oversight)

• Willing to refrain from exercise and caffeinated or alcoholic beverages for 12 hoursbefore each testing session

• Willing to refrain from antioxidant-rich foods, such as blueberries, pecans, anddark chocolate, 48 h before each testing session

• Eumenorrheic females (menstrual cycle length between 24-35 days) or females takingoral contraceptives, or utilizing implantable contraception (e.g., intrauterinedevice)

• Have supervisor approval if active-duty military or a federal employee at NSSC

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of cold injuries of any severity (e.g., frostbite, trench foot, chilblains)

• Raynaud's syndrome

• Cold-induced asthma/bronchospasm

• Previous hand/finger injuries that impair dexterity and hand function

• Metal hardware (plates/screws) in the forearms and hands

• Smoke, vape, or use smokeless tobacco or other nicotine-containing productshabitually (unless have quit > 4 months prior)

• Current use of medications (except for birth control) or dietary supplements thatcould alter cardiovascular, thermoregulatory, or vascular control (e.g.,anti-hypertensives, statins)

• History of disease of the gastrointestinal tract including (but not limited to)diverticulosis, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease,Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis; or previous gastrointestinal surgery

• Have a history of renal disease including (but not limited to) chronic kidneydisease, acute kidney injury, kidney stone disease, glomerular disease, or nephritis

• Known allergies to medical adhesives

• Known allergy to MitoQ

• Difficulty swallowing pills

• Heart, lung, kidney, muscle, or nerve disorder(s)

• A planned MRI during the study or within 3 days after completing a cold test

• Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

• Not willing to have small areas of skin on the body shaved (if deemed necessary forattachment of study instrumentation)

• Have donated blood within 8 weeks of the study or plan to donate blood during thestudy

• Lesions on a significant portion of the upper extremities due to skin pigmentationdisorders (e.g., vitiligo, psoriasis)