Women with TT genotype for eNOS gene are more responsive in lowering blood pressure in response to exercise.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether -786T>C endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism might influence the effect of long-term exercise training (ET) on the blood pressure and its relationship with NO production in healthy postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. METHOD: Fifty-five postmenopausal women were studied in a double-blinded design. ET was performed for 3 days a week, each session consisting of 60 min during 6 months, in an intensity of 50-70% VO2max. After that, eNOS genotype analysis was performed and women were divided into two groups: TC+CC (n=41) and TT (n=14) genotype. RESULTS: No changes were found in the anthropometric parameters after ET in both the groups. Systolic and diastolic BP values were significantly reduced in both the groups, but women with TT genotype were more responsive in lowering BP as compared with those with TC+CC genotype. Plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were similar at baseline in both the groups, but the magnitude of increment in NO production in response to ET was higher in women with TT genotype as compared with those with TC+CC genotype. CONCLUSION: Our study shows clearly that women with or without eNOS gene polymorphism had no differences in NO production at basal conditions, but when physical exercise is applied an evident difference is detected showing that the presence of -786T>C eNOS gene polymorphism had a significant impact in the health-promoting effect of aerobic physical training on the blood pressure in postmenopausal women.

Effect of exercise training on the cardiovascular and biochemical parameters in women with eNOS gene polymorphism.

CONTEXT: Presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) whereas exercise training (EX) promotes beneficial effects on CVD which is related to increased nitric oxide levels (NO). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if women with eNOS gene polymorphism at position-G894T would be less responsive to EX than those who did not carry T allele. METHODS: Women were trained 3 days/week, 40 minutes session during 6 months. Cardio-biochemical parameters and genetic analysis were performed in a double-blind fashion. RESULTS: Plasma NOx- levels were similar in both groups at baseline (GG genotype: 18.44±3.28 µM) and (GT+TT genotype: 17.19±2.43 µM) and after EX (GG: 29.20±4.33 and GT+TT: 27.38±3.12 µM). A decrease in blood pressure was also observed in both groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The presence of eNOS polymorphism does not affect the beneficial effects of EX in women.

Chronic consumption of fructose rich soft drinks alters tissue lipids of rats.

BACKGROUND: Fructose-based diets are apparently related to the occurrence of several metabolic dysfunctions, but the effects of the consumption of high amounts of fructose on body tissues have not been well described. The aim of this study was to analyze the general characteristics and the lipid content of different tissues of rats after chronic ingestion of a fructose rich soft drink. METHODS: Forty-five Wistar rats were used. The rats were divided into three groups (n = 15) and allowed to consume water (C), light Coca Cola (R) (L) or regular Coca Cola(R) (R) as the sole source of liquids for eight weeks. RESULTS: The R group presented significantly higher daily liquid intake and significantly lower food intake than the C and L groups. Moreover, relative to the C and L groups, the R group showed higher triglyceride concentrations in the serum and liver. However, the L group animals presented lower values of serum triglycerides and cholesterol than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, it can be concluded that daily ingestion of a large amount of fructose- rich soft drink resulted in unfavorable alterations to the lipid profile of the rats.