Positive effect of combined exercise training in a model of metabolic syndrome and menopause: autonomic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress evaluations.

It is now well established that after menopause cardiometabolic disorders become more common. Recently, resistance exercise has been recommended as a complement to aerobic (combined training, CT) for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CT in hypertensive ovariectomized rats undergoing fructose overload in blood pressure variability (BPV), inflammation, and oxidative stress parameters. Female rats were divided into the following groups (n = 8/group): sedentary normotensive Wistar rats (C), and sedentary (FHO) or trained (FHOT) ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats undergoing and fructose overload. CT was performed on a treadmill and ladder adapted to rats in alternate days (8 wk; 40-60% maximal capacity). Arterial pressure (AP) was directly measured. Oxidative stress and inflammation were measured on cardiac and renal tissues. The association of risk factors (hypertension + ovariectomy + fructose) promoted increase in insulin resistance, mean AP (FHO: 174 ± 4 vs. C: 108 ± 1 mmHg), heart rate (FHO: 403 ± 12 vs. C: 352 ± 11 beats/min), BPV, cardiac inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α-FHO: 65.8 ± 9.9 vs. C: 23.3 ± 4.3 pg/mg protein), and oxidative stress cardiac and renal tissues. However, CT was able to reduce mean AP (FHOT: 158 ± 4 mmHg), heart rate (FHOT: 303 ± 5 beats/min), insulin resistance, and sympathetic modulation. Moreover, the trained rats presented increased nitric oxide bioavailability, reduced tumor necrosis factor-α (FHOT: 33.1 ± 4.9 pg/mg protein), increased IL-10 in cardiac tissue and reduced lipoperoxidation, and increased antioxidant defenses in cardiac and renal tissues. In conclusion, the association of risk factors promoted an additional impairment in metabolic, cardiovascular, autonomic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters and combined exercise training was able to attenuate these dysfunctions.

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by fructose overload in an experimental model of hypertension and menopause.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the association of 3 or more risk factors, including: abdominal obesity associated with an excess of abdominal fat, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Moreover, the prevalence of hypertension and metabolic dysfunctions sharply increases after the menopause. However, the mechanisms involved in these changes are not well understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of fructose overload on cardiovascular autonomic modulation, inflammation and cardiac oxidative stress in an experimental model of hypertension and menopause. METHODS: Female SHR rats were divided into (n = 8/group): hypertensive (H), hypertensive ovariectomized (HO) and hypertensive ovariectomized undergoing fructose overload (100 g/L in drinking water) (FHO). Arterial pressure (AP) signals were directly recorded. Cardiac autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral analysis. Oxidative stress was evaluated in cardiac tissue. RESULTS: AP was higher in the FHO group when compared to the other groups. Fructose overload promoted an increase in body and fat weight, triglyceride concentration and a reduction in insulin sensitivity. IL-10 was reduced in the FHO group when compared to the H group. TNF-α was higher in the FHO when compared to all other groups. Lipoperoxidation was higher and glutathione redox balance was reduced in the FHO group when compared to other groups, an indication of increased oxidative stress. A negative correlation was found between IL-10 and adipose tissue. CONCLUSION: Fructose overload promoted an impairment in cardiac autonomic modulation associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in hypertensive rats undergoing ovarian hormone deprivation.

Effect of obesity on sleep quality, anthropometric and autonomic parameters in adolescent.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of obesity on sleep quality, the anthropometric and autonomic parameters of adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with adolescents aged 11 to 18, analyzing parameters such as BMI, sleep quality records, waist circumference, fat percentage, blood pressure and sexual maturation, in addition to autonomic cardiac function through the analysis of heart rate variability. RESULTS: The anthropometric parameters of waist circumference, percentage fat mass, were significantly higher in the group of obese adolescents. Sympathetic modulation in LF% was significantly higher in obesity. Parasympathetic modulation in HF% was significantly lower in obese than in eutrophic. CONCLUSION: Obese adolescents do not have poor sleep quality; there is no distinction between boys and girls regarding the analyzed variables; however, obesity alone was responsible for negatively influencing anthropometric parameters, as well as impairing the autonomic cardiac modulation.

Influence of Estimated Training Status on Anti and Pro-Oxidant Activity, Nitrite Concentration, and Blood Pressure in Middle-Aged and Older Women.

The purpose of this study was to compare the association between anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older women with different levels of estimated training status (TS). The sample consisted of 155 females (50-84 years) who were submitted to a physical examination to evaluate estimated TS through the "Functional Fitness Battery Test," BP measurements, and plasma blood samples to evaluate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity and nitrite concentrations. Participants were separated by age into a middle-aged group (<65 years) and an older (≥65 years) group and then subdivided in each group according to TS. Blood biochemistry was similar between groups. On the other hand, protein oxidation was lower in participants with higher TS, independent of age. Older females with higher TS presented higher nitrite concentrations, lower lipoperoxidation, and lower values of BP compared with those with lower TS. Lower GPx activity was observed in participants with higher TS compared with middle-aged with lower TS. Thus, our results suggest that good levels of TS may be associated with lower oxidative stress and higher nitrite concentration and may contribute to maintain normal or reduced blood pressure values.

Training Status as a Marker of the Relationship between Nitric Oxide, Oxidative Stress, and Blood Pressure in Older Adult Women.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of functional fitness and oxidative capacity on the nitric oxide concentration associated with hemodynamic control in older adult women. The sample consisted of 134 women (65.73 ± 6.14 years old). All subjects underwent a physical examination to assess body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body fat measurement by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and blood pressure (BP). Training status (TS) was evaluated by indirect determination of maximal oxygen uptake by a treadmill test using Balke protocol modified for older adults. Functional fitness was also evaluated through a "Functional Fitness Battery Test" to determine the general fitness functional index (GFFI). All participants were separated according to the functional fitness (TS1, very weak and weak; TS2, regular; TS3, good and very good). Plasma blood samples were used to evaluate prooxidant and antioxidant activity and nitrite and nitrate concentrations. The general results of this study showed that good levels of TS were related to lower levels of lipoperoxidation and protein damage, higher levels of antioxidant, and higher concentration of nitrite and nitrate. This combination may be responsible for the lower levels of BP in subjects with better TS.

Impacto do envelhecimento nas disfunções metabólicas e cardiovasculares em modelo experimental de menopausa / Impact of aging on metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunctions in an experimental model of menopause

Fundamentos: O envelhecimento e a privação dos hormônios ovarianos são associados ao aumento do risco cardiovascular. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos do envelhecimento em parâmetros metabólicos e cardiovasculares em ratas submetidas à privação dos hormônios ovarianos. Métodos: Foram utilizadas 16 ratas adultas e 16 ratas velhas Wistar estratificadas em quatro grupos (n=8 emcada grupo): adultas-controle (CS); adultas ooforectomizadas (OS); velhas-controle (VC); e velhas ooforectomizadas (VOS). Ooforectomia realizada com retirada bilateral dos ovários. Pressão arterial (PA)avaliada pelo registro direto. Sensibilidade barorreflexa(SBR) avaliada pelas respostas taquicárdicas (RT) e bradicárdicas (RB). Resultados: O peso corporal foi maior nos grupos OS,VC e VOS em relação ao grupo CS. Os triglicerídeos sanguíneos foram maiores nos grupos VC e VOS quando comparados ao grupo CS. O envelhecimento induziu aumento da PA diastólica. Houve aumento da PA médiano grupo OS (124,0±1,3mmHg) em relação ao grupo CS(110,0±2,8mmHg). O grupo VOS (130,0±5,1mmHg)apresentou valores maiores de PA média quando comparado aos grupos CS e VC (116,0±2,5mmHg), além de aumento adicional da PA sistólica em relação ao grupo OS. A SBR se apresentou atenuada nos grupos OS e VC em relação ao grupo CS. Nas RB e RT houve prejuízo adicional no grupo VOS (-0,68±0,06 e-1,07±0,12bpm/mmHg) quando comparado ao grupo OS(-1,10±0,11 e -2,09±0,19bpm/mmHg). Conclusão: O envelhecimento em ratas induziu prejuízo metabólico e aumento da PA associado à redução da SBR. A privação dos hormônios ovarianos em ratas adultas promoveu prejuízo cardiovascular e na SBR, os quaisforam exacerbados pelo envelhecimento.

Background: Aging and ovarian hormone deprivationare associated with increased cardiovascular risk.Objective: Investigate the effects of aging on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in female rats submitted to ovarian hormone deprivation.Methods: 16 adult female Wistar rats and 16 aged Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n= 8 in eachgroup): adult control (CS) and ovariectomized (OS);aged control (VC) and aged ovariectomized (VOS).Ovariectomy was performed by bilateral ovaryremoval. Blood pressure (BP) was evaluated by direct recording. The baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was evaluated by tachycardic (RT) and bradycardic (RB)responses. Results: Body weight was higher in aged rats (OS, VCand VOS) compared to the CS group. Blood triglycerides were higher in VC and VOS groups compared to theCS group. The diastolic AP was increased by aging.There was a mean AP increase in the OS group(124.0±1.3mmHg) compared to the CS group(110.0±2.8mmHg). The VOS group (130.0±5.1mmHg)presented an increased mean AP compared to the CS and VC (116.0±2.5mmHg) groups, with an additional systolic AP increase as compared to OS group. The BRS was impaired in OS and VC groups compared to the CS group. There were additional impairments in the BR and TR in the VOS group (-0.68±0.06 and-1.07±0.12bpm/mmHg) compared to the OS group(-1.10±0.11 and -2.09±0.19bpm/mmHg). Conclusion: Aging in rats induced metabolic impairment and AP increase associated with reduced BRS. Ovarian hormone deprivation in adult rats resulted in cardiovascular and SBR impairments, with these changes exacerbated by aging.