14-Week exercise training modifies the DNA methylation levels at gene sites in non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years.

Exercise training emerges as a key strategy in lifestyle modification, capable of reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to risk factors such as age, family history, genetics and low level of education associated with AD. We aim to analyze the effect of a 14-week combined exercise training (CT) on the methylation of genes associated with AD in non-alzheimer's disease women. CT sessions lasted 60 min, occurring three times a week for 14 weeks. Forty non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years (60.7 ± 4.1 years) with a mean height of 1.6 ± 0.1 m, mean weight of 73.12 ± 9.0 kg and a mean body mass index of 29.69 ± 3.5 kg/m2, underwent two physical assessments: pre and post the 14 weeks. DNA methylation assays utilized the EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip from Illumina. We observed that 14 weeks of CT led to reductions in systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.017) blood pressure and improved motor skills post-intervention. Among 25 genes linked to AD, CT induced differentially methylated sites in 12 genes, predominantly showing hypomethylated sites (negative ß values). Interestingly, despite hypomethylated sites, some genes exhibited hypermethylated sites (positive ß values), such as ABCA7, BDNF, and WWOX. A 14-week CT regimen was adequate to induce differential methylation in 12 CE-related genes in healthy older women, alongside improvements in motor skills and blood pressure. In conclusion, this study suggest that combined training can be a strategy to improve physical fitness in older individuals, especially able to induce methylation alterations in genes sites related to development of AD. It is important to highlight that training should act as protective factor in older adults.

Eight Weeks of Physical Training Decreases 2 Years of DNA Methylation Age of Sedentary Women.

Purpose: The acceleration of epigenetic age is a predictor of mortality and contributes to the increase in chronic diseases. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle is a strategy to reduce epigenetic age. The present study aimed to determine whether eight weeks of combined (aerobic and strength) training (CT) can influence the epigenetic age of women between 50 and 70 years old and the differences in sites and methylated regions. Methods: Eighteen women (AARLow: lower age acceleration residual, n = 10; AARHigh: higher age acceleration residual, n = 8) participated in a combined exercise training program (60 minutes, 3× a week) for eight weeks. DNA was extracted from whole blood using the salting out technique. DNA methylation was performed using the array technique (Illumina's Infinium Methylation BeadChip 850k). We used the DNA Methylation Age Calculator platform to calculate the biological epigenetic age. Two-way ANOVA followed by FISHER LSD posthoc was Applied, adopting p < .05. Results: After eight weeks of CT, there were no changes to the epigenetic age acceleration for the AARLow group (PRE: -2.3 ± 3.2 to POST: -2.3 ± 3.6). However, the AARHigh group significantly decreased the age acceleration (PRE: 3.6 ± 2.6 to POST: 2.2 ± 2.7) (group effect, p = .01; time effect, p = .31; group vs. time effect, p = .005). Conclusion: CT for eight weeks benefits the epigenetic clock of women with the most accelerated age.

Influence of Fluid Ingestion on Heart Rate, Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Blood Pressure in Response to Physical Exercise: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

A systematic review was undertaken to investigate the involvement of hydration in heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV) and diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP) blood pressure in response to exercise. Data synthesis: The EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, LILACS and Web of Science databases were searched. In total, 977 studies were recognized, but only 36 were included after final screening (33 studies in meta-analysis). This study includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs with subjects > 18 years old. The hydration group consumed water or isotonic drinks, while the control group did not ingest liquids. For the hydration protocol (before, during and after exercise), the HR values during the exercise were lower compared to the controls (-6.20 bpm, 95%CI: -8.69; -3.71). In the subgroup analysis, "water ingested before and during exercise" showed lower increases in HR during exercise (-6.20, 95%CI: 11.70 to -0.71), as did "water was ingested only during exercise" (-6.12, 95%CI: -9.35 to -2.89). Water intake during exercise only revealed a trend of avoiding greater increases in HR during exercise (-4,60, 95%CI: -9.41 to 0.22), although these values were not significantly different (p = 0.06) from those of the control. "Isotonic intake during exercise" showed lower HRs than the control (-7.23 bpm, 95% CI: -11.68 to -2.79). The HRV values following the exercise were higher in the hydration protocol (SMD = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.30 to 0.67). The values of the SBP were higher than those of the controls (2.25 mmHg, 95%CI: 0.08 to 4.42). Conclusions: Hydration-attenuated exercise-induced increases in HR during exercise, improved autonomic recovery via the acceleration of cardiac vagal modulation in response to exercise and caused a modest increase in SBP values, but did not exert effects on DBP following exercise.

Nitrate-rich beet juice intake on cardiovascular performance in response to exercise in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence of the use of beetroot juice with a previously recommended dose of nitrate (NO3) (> 300 mg) on the cardiovascular performance during and recovery following exercise in postmenopausal women with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). METHODS: We will investigate the effects of beetroot juice rich in NO3 acutely (800 mg) and during a week with daily doses (400 mg) on blood pressure, heart rate (HR), cardiac autonomic control, endothelial function, inflammatory, hormonal, and stress biomarkers oxidative stress and enzymes involved in nitric oxide synthesis and mitochondrial regulation, under resting conditions, as well as mediated by submaximal aerobic exercise sessions. Through a randomized, crossover, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 25 physically inactive women with SAH will undergo an acute and 1-week trial, each with two intervention protocols: (1) placebo and (2) beetroot, in which will ingest beet juice with or without NO3 in its composition with a 7-day washout interval. On collection days, exercise will be performed on a treadmill for 40 min at a speed corresponding to 65-70% of VO2peak. The collection of variables (cardiovascular, autonomic, and blood samples for molecular analyses) of the study will take place at rest (135 min after ingestion of the intervention), during exercise (40 min), and in the effort recovery stage (during 60 min) based on previously validated protocols. The collections were arranged so that the measurement of one variable does not interfere with the other and that they have adequate intervals between them. DISCUSSION: The results of this research may help in the real understanding of the nutritional compounds capable of generating safety to the cardiovascular system during physical exercise, especially for women who are aging and who have cardiovascular limitations (e.g., arterial hypertension) to perform physical exercise. Therefore, our results will be able to help specific nutritional recommendations to optimize cardiovascular health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05384340. Registered on May 20, 2022.