Acute effect of interval step exercise versus continuous walk exercise on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive postmenopausal women: A clinical, controlled, and randomized study.

Aiming the prevention and treatment of hypertension, regular physical exercise has become important to reduce blood pressure. The present experiment compared the effect of interval step exercise with continuous walking exercise on cardiovascular parameters of post-menopausal hypertensive women. The volunteers were submitted to three experimental sessions: control (CO), interval exercise (IE) and continuous exercise (CE), in randomized order. The sessions lasted 120 min and during this period, resting blood pressure was evaluated after 10min of siting rest before exercise, and 30, 40 and 60min of siting rest position after exercise. Heart rate variability (HRV) were estimated at rest before exercise and 30min after exercise. Blood pressure reactivity (BPR) to the Stroop Color-Word test was measured at rest before exercise and 60min after exercise. Twelve women finished the study (59 ± 4 years and BMI of 29.78 ± 4.10 kg/m2). The One way ANOVA showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) area under the curve over time were lower (p = 0.014) in both exercise sessions comparing with control session. The Generalized estimation equations (GEE) showed that SDNN and RMSSD indices of HRV decreases (p < 0.001) in both exercises session as well, comparing with CO. Maximal SBP during Stroop test were lower after both IE and CE exercises session comparing with CO session. We conclude that interval step exercise can reduce blood pressure responses and improve HRV acutely after its performance and these responses are similar to continuous walking exercise.

A single session of exercise reduces blood pressure reactivity to stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Stressful situations are common in everyday life and disturb homeostasis. So, an exercise session is a strategy to mitigate blood pressure (BP) peaks in response to stress (i.e., BP reactivity), decreasing the cardiovascular risk. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis that aims to verify the effects of a single session of physical exercises on BP reactivity to stress in adults. The searches were performed in digital databases (MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and PsycInfo) and 29 studies were included, totaling 795 individuals (quantitative analysis: k = 25, n = 659). As for exercise characteristics, 21 of the 29 studies focused on aerobic exercises, and 23 studies focused on low to moderate intensities. As for the stress tests, we have them in the following order from the most to the least frequent: stroop color and word test, cold pressor test, arithmetic test, public speaking, handgrip, trier social stress test, and study task. Favorable metanalytic results (standardized mean differences through random-effects approach) for the exercises were found, with attenuated reactivity in systolic BP (pooled effect size = - 0.38 [- 0.49; - 0.27], representing average reductions of 3.7 ± 3.8 mmHg), diastolic BP (pooled effect size = - 0.51 [- 0.70; - 0.33], representing average reductions of 2.9 ± 3.7 mmHg), and mean BP (pooled effect size = - 0.51 [- 0.72; - 0.31], representing average reductions of 4.1 ± 3.3 mmHg). So, acute physical exercise lowers systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure reactivity in response to stressor tasks. However, given the small magnitude of effects, the clinical relevance of this result must be interpreted with caution and be better explored.

Different cardiovascular responses to exercise training in hypertensive women receiving ß-blockers or angiotensin receptor blockers: A pilot study.

AIM: To verify the influence of ß-blockers or angiotensin receptor blockers on cardiovascular responses to exercise training in hypertensive post-menopausal women. METHODS: Postmenopausal women were allocated into: healthy control group (CON; n = 9); angiotensin receptor blockers users (ARB; n = 19); and ß-adrenergic blockers users (BB; n = 19). Before and after 12 weeks of combined (aerobic and resistance) exercise training they were evaluated by: heart rate (HR) and its variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP) under stress (Cold pressor and Stroop color tests), and ambulatorial BP and its variability. RESULTS: In ambulatorial BP analysis only in ARB group awake systolic BP decreased (p = .011; ARB: From 122 ± 11 to 117 ± 9; BB: From 118 ± 7 to 114 ± 5; CON: From 121 ± 7 to 127 ± 11 mmHg). There were time effects in BP reactivity to stress, where BP reactivity after Stroop color and Cold pressor test decreased in all groups. In BP variability analysis, only BB group has significative decreased values in systolic SD24 (p = .007; ΔARB = -0.3 ± 2.0; ΔBB = -1.3 ± 2.0; ΔCON = 0.8 ± 1.7 mmHg) and SDdn (p = .006; ΔARB = -0.2 ± 1.6; ΔBB = -1.3 ± 2.0; ΔCON = 0.4 ± 2.1 mmHg). HRV analysis demonstrated that post-training, only in BB group LF/HF decreased (p = .001; ΔARB = 0.1 ± 0.8; ΔBB = -0.4 ± 1.5; ΔCON = 1.0 ± 1.7). CONCLUSION: ARB present pronounced responses in awake ambulatorial systolic BP, while ß-blockers users present greater responses in BP variability. Besides that, exercise can mitigate BP reactivity to stress with no differences between groups. Lastly, there were no major differences in HRV. TRIAL REGISTRY AT "CLINICALTRIALS.GOV": NCT03529838.

Single and Serial Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Do Not Improve Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance in Soccer Players.

Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing seems to improve performance in exercises lasting 30-60 min. However, its effects on intermittent exercise are unclear. It is also unknown whether serial CHO mouth rinses can promote additional ergogenic effects when compared with a single mouth rinse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of single and serial CHO mouth rinses on Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) performance in soccer players. In a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 12 male (18.9 ± 0.5 years) soccer players performed eight serial mouth rinses under three different conditions: placebo solution only (noncaloric juice), seven placebo mouth rinses plus a single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin), or eight CHO mouth rinses (8-CHO). Following the final mouth rinse, individuals performed the Yo-Yo IR1 test to evaluate the maximal aerobic endurance performance measured via total distance covered. There were no differences in Yo-Yo IR1 performance between sessions (p = .32; single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin): 1,198 ± 289 m, eight CHO mouth rinses: 1,256 ± 253 m, placebo: 1,086 ± 284 m). In conclusion, single and serial CHO mouth rinsing did not improve performance during the Yo-Yo IR1 for soccer players. These data suggest that CHO mouth rinsing is not an effective ergogenic strategy for intermittent exercise performance irrespective of the number of rinses.

Beetroot juice intake with different amounts of nitrate does not change aerobic exercise-mediated responses in heart rate variability in hypertensive postmenopausal women: A randomized, crossover and double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the acute effects of a single dose of beetroot juice (BJ) with different concentrations of nitrate (NO3 -) on heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal hypertensive women. METHODS: Thirteen hypertensive postmenopausal women (58.1 ± 4.6 years of age and 27 ± 4 kg/m2 of BMI) completed the protocol that consisted of three visits with different beverage intakes in a randomized and crossover design. The three beverages were BJ with a high content of nitrate (high-NO3 -), BJ with a low content of nitrate (low-NO3 -), and an orange flavored non-caloric drink (OFD). Heart rate (HR) were evaluated during 20 min after sitting rest at 7:20 a.m. (baseline), after they drank one of the drinks, and remained at sitting rest for 120 min and then performed 40 min of aerobic exercise at 65-70% of the HR reserve on a treadmill. HR was recorded for 90 min after exercise for time, frequency, and non-linear domains of HRV index analysis. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA showed that there were no interaction effects (time∗sessions) in any of the HRV indexes after exercise in all three sessions. HRV indexes increased after exercise (p = <0.05) similarly in all three sessions when compared with the baseline time point. CONCLUSION: Therefore, a single dose of BJ, independent of NO3 - content, does not change aerobic exercise-mediated responses in HRV indexes in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Effect of combined exercise training on heart rate variability in normotensive and hypertensive postmenopausal women

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to verify and compare the effects of 10 weeks of combined exercise training on the heart rate variability of normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) postmenopausal women. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental controlled clinical trial. Therefore, 14 HT and 12 NT postmenopausal women completed 10 weeks of combined exercise training. The exercise protocol consisted of 45 min of exercise, performed 3 times a week, consisting of 5 min of warm-up, 20 min of resistance exercise, and 20 min of aerobic exercise. Heart rate variability assessments were performed before and after the end of physical training. Results: Heart rate variability was assessed pre- and post-training periods. Mean RR (δNT = 95 ± 88; δHT = 38 ± 127), SDNN (δNT = 9 ± 13; δHT = 3 ± 14), RMSSD (δNT = 10 ± 12; δHT = 2 ± 18), SD1 (δNT = 7 ± 8; δHT = 1 ± 13), and SD2 (δNT = 10 ± 18; δHT = 4 ± 17) showed improvements after the intervention (time effects p < 0.05). No parameters presented group or interaction effects (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, 10 weeks of combined exercise training improved heart rate variability parameters similarly in both NT and HT postmenopausal women. Therefore, combined exercise training may be used to improve autonomic modulation of the heart rate of postmenopausal women, regardless of the presence of hypertension.

Isoflavone Supplementation Does Not Potentiate the Effect of Combined Exercise Training on Resting and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Non-Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial-A Pilot Study.

Physical exercise and isoflavone supplementation are potential strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are additive effects of isoflavone supplementation when associated with combined aerobic and resistance exercise on resting and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and in blood pressure variability (BPV). Thirty-one non-obese postmenopausal women were randomly allocated into two groups: placebo and exercise (Placebo n = 19); and isoflavone supplementation (100 mg/day) and exercise (isoflavone n = 19). ABPM and BPV were evaluated before and after 10 weeks of moderate combined (aerobic and resistance) exercise training. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) with Bonferroni correction and intention-to-treat analysis was used to compare the effects of interventions on resting BP, ABPM and BPV. Combined exercise training decreased resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and reduced 24 h and awake ambulatory SBP, DBP and mean blood pressure over time, with no additional effects of isoflavone supplementation. No changes were observed in sleep period, or in BPV indexes (Standard Deviation of 24 h (SD), daytime and nighttime interval (SDdn) and average real variability (ARV) in both groups. We conclude that isoflavone supplementation does not potentiate the effects of combined training on resting and ambulatorial systolic and diastolic blood pressure in non-obese postmenopausal women.

The effects of isoflavone supplementation plus combined exercise on salivary markers of oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.

This study tested the effect of isoflavone supplementation in addition to combined exercise training in salivary oxidative stress markers in non-obese postmenopausal women. Thirty-two postmenopausal women without hormone therapy were randomly assigned to exercise + placebo (n = 15) or exercise + isoflavone supplementation (n = 17) groups. They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises (aerobic plus resistance) over ten weeks and consumed 100 mg of isoflavone supplementation or placebo. Saliva samples were collected after an overnight fast. Superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, catalase, total protein and nitrite were determined before and after ten weeks of the intervention. The ANOVA two-way analysis of variance was applied with α of 5%. Both groups increase (p<0.05) superoxide dismutase activity and decrease catalase levels. There was interaction (time × group) in both nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances results, with increase (p<0.05) in placebo group and decrease (p<0.05) in isoflavone group. No difference was found for total antioxidant capacity or total protein. The combination of isoflavone supplementation and exercise training can promote an antioxidant effect through reduction of lipid peroxidation and concentrations of salivary nitrite.

Salivary and Plasmatic Antioxidant Profile following Continuous, Resistance, and High-Intensity Interval Exercise: Preliminary Study.

The increase in antioxidant responses promoted by regular physical activity is strongly associated with the attenuation of chronic oxidative stress and physiological mechanisms related to exercise adaptation. The aim of this work was to evaluate and compare how different exercise protocols (HIIE: high-intensity interval exercise, CE: continuous exercise, and RE: resistance exercise) may alter salivary and plasmatic antioxidants and salivary markers of exercise intensity and nitric oxide. Thirteen healthy, trained male subjects were submitted to the three exercise protocols. Blood and saliva samples were collected at the points preexercise, postexercise, and 3 hours postexercise. Antioxidants (total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and levels of reduced glutathione and uric acid), markers of exercise intensity (salivary total protein and amylase activity), and salivary nitric oxide were evaluated. As a result, all exercise protocols increased the markers of exercise intensity and nitric oxide. Antioxidant response was increased after exercise, and it was found that a single HIIE session exerts a similar pattern of antioxidant response compared to CE, in plasma and saliva samples, while RE presented minor alterations. We suggest that HIIE may lead to alterations in antioxidants and consequently to the physiological processes related to redox, similar to the CE, with the advantage of being performed in a shorter time. In addition, the antioxidant profile of saliva samples showed to be very similar to that of plasma, suggesting that saliva may be an alternative and noninvasive tool in sports medicine for the study of antioxidants in different physical exercise protocols.

A Single Dose of Beetroot Juice Does Not Change Blood Pressure Response Mediated by Acute Aerobic Exercise in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women.

OBJECTIVE: To verify if acute intake of beetroot juice potentiates post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in hypertensive postmenopausal women. METHODS: Thirteen hypertensive postmenopausal women (58.1 ± 4.62 years and 27.4 ± 4.25 kg/m²) were recruited to participate in three experimental sessions, taking three different beverages: Beetroot juice (BJ), placebo nitrate-depleted BJ (PLA), and orange flavored non-caloric drink (OFD). The participants performed moderate aerobic exercise training on a treadmill, at 65-70% of heart rate reserve (HRR), for 40 min. After an overnight fast, the protocol started at 07h when the first resting blood pressure (BP) was measured. The beverage was ingested at 07h30 and BP was monitored until the exercise training started, at 09h30. After the end of the exercise session, BP was measured every 15 min over a 90-min period. Saliva samples were collected at rest, immediately before and after exercise, and 90 min after exercise for nitrite (NO2-) analysis. RESULTS: There was an increase in salivary NO2- with BJ intake when compared to OFD and PLA. A slight increase in salivary NO2- was observed with PLA when compared to OFD (p < 0.05), however, PLA resulted in lower salivary NO2- when compared to BJ (p < 0.001). There were no changes in salivary NO2- with the OFD. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased (p < 0.001) on all post exercise time points after all interventions, with no difference between the three beverages. CONCLUSION: Acute BJ intake does not change PEH responses in hypertensive postmenopausal women, even though there is an increase in salivary NO2-.

Potential Benefits of Nitrate Supplementation on Antioxidant Defense System and Blood Pressure Responses after Exercise Performance.

Nitrate (NO3 -) supplementation is associated with exercise performance, oxygen uptake, blood flow, and blood pressure improvement, and it can act as an antioxidant agent. This study evaluated the effects of sodium nitrate supplementation on oxidative stress markers and blood pressure responses after aerobic exercise performance in physically active males. Fourteen subjects aged 22 ± 3 years and with a BMI of 23 ± 1 kg/m2 were submitted to four exercise tests in intervals of 5 days. Nitrate supplementation (NO session) and placebo supplementation (PL session) were acute (AC) and over a period of 5 days (FD) in random order with a crossover design. Saliva was collected at basal (0'); 60 min after supplementation (60'); immediately after exercise (90'); and 15, 30, and 60 min after the test (105', 120', and 150'). The NO session had higher concentrations (P < 0.05) of salivary nitrite in both AC and FD treatments when compared with the PL session. There was a reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) only after FD in the NO session. Furthermore, uric acid and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) salivary concentrations increased, while SOD activity and TBARS levels decreased after FD but not after AC in the NO session. The results suggest that nitrate supplemented over a period of 5 days reduced SBP and indirectly acted as an antioxidant in healthy nonsedentary young men.

No Improvement in Running Time to Exhaustion at 100% VO2max in Recreationally Active Male Runners With a Preexercise Single-Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse.

BACKGROUND: Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse has been used as an ergogenic strategy due to its central effect; however, the effects of this intervention during short-duration high-intensity exercises are not fully understood. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of CHO mouth rinse on time to exhaustion in a short-duration high-intensity exercise performed on a treadmill. METHODS: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted with 10 (24.1 [4.3] y) recreationally active male runners. The protocol consisted of a warm-up at 65% of VO2max for 5 min followed by 3 min passive rest. At the end of this rest period, the individuals performed their mouth rinse either with CHO (maltodextrin, 6%) or with placebo (industrialized noncaloric juice with the same taste). Immediately after mouth rinse, the subjects ran at velocity equivalent to 100% of individual VO2max until voluntary exhaustion. The perceived effort was obtained through a Borg scale. Blood lactate was quantified before and after the protocol, and heart rate was evaluated during the protocol. RESULTS: No difference was found (P = .90) in time to exhaustion between placebo (193.9 [46.5] s) and CHO mouth rinse (195.1 [51.8] s). Blood lactate, heart rate, and perception of effort increased in both groups, but with no differences (all variables, P > .05) between groups. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that a preexercise single-CHO mouth rinse was ineffective to improve running time to exhaustion at velocity equivalent to 100% VO2max on a treadmill in recreationally active male runners.

Isoflavone supplementation plus combined aerobic and resistance exercise do not change phase angle values in postmenopausal women: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of isoflavone supplementation plus combined exercise protocol on phase angle (PhA) values in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Thirty postmenopausal women were randomly assigned in a double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial divided into two groups: 100 mg/day of isoflavone supplementation (n = 16) and 100 mg/day of starch (placebo; n = 14). In addition, both groups performed a combined aerobic and resistance exercise during 10 weeks. Body composition and PhA were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: PhA values did not change in the isoflavone group (PRE: 6.7 ±â€¯0.7° to POST: 6.7 ±â€¯0.6°) and in the placebo group (PRE: 7.2 ±â€¯1.0° to POST: 6.8 ±â€¯0.5°); p group = 0.304, p time = 0.227, p group x time interaction = 0.137. Additionally, delta values were not different (0.04 ±â€¯0.5° vs. -0.40 ±â€¯0.99°; p = 0.176) between isoflavone and placebo groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that isoflavone supplementation plus combined aerobic and resistance exercise did not change PhA in postmenopausal women. The patients were part of ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03008785.

The Acute Effects of Mat Pilates on Hemodynamic and Salivary Nitrite Responses After Exercise in Postmenopausal Women.

The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic and salivary responses after mat Pilates, aerobics, resistance exercises, and control. A total of 16 normotensive postmenopausal women performed: Pilates, 10 floor exercises; aerobics, 35 min on a treadmill (60-70% of heart rate reserve); resistance exercises, 60% of one-repetition maximum; and control, no physical exercise. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were evaluated at rest and 60 min after the intervention. Saliva samples were collected at rest, immediately after, and 30 and 60 min after exercise for analysis of nitrite concentration and total proteins. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure area under the curve were lower (p < .05) after both aerobic and resistance exercises sessions but not after the Pilates session when compared with the control session. Nitrite concentrations in saliva were higher 60 min after the end of all exercise sessions. Heart rate variability was higher after the resistance exercise. Aerobic and resistance exercises were capable of decreasing arterial blood pressure after acute exercise.

The Effects of Isoflavone Supplementation Plus Combined Exercise on Lipid Levels, and Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Postmenopausal Women.

This study tested the effect of isoflavone supplementation in addition to combined exercise training on plasma lipid levels, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. Thirty-two healthy and non-obese postmenopausal women without hormone therapy were randomly assigned to exercise + placebo (PLA; n = 15) or exercise + isoflavone supplementation (ISO; n = 17) groups. They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises (aerobic plus resistance) over ten weeks and consumed 100 mg of isoflavone supplementation or placebo. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast to analyze the lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), before and after ten weeks of the intervention. There were no differences in the changes (pre vs. post) between groups for any of the inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers or lipid profile variables. However, interleukin-8 was different between pre- and post-tests (p < 0.001) in both groups (Δ = 7.61 and 5.61 pg/mL) as were cholesterol levels (p < 0.05), with no interaction between groups. The combination of isoflavone supplementation and exercise training did not alter oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women, but exercise training alone may increase IL-8 and decrease total cholesterol levels.

Combined exercise training reduces climacteric symptoms without the additive effects of isoflavone supplementation: A clinical, controlled, randomised, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Exercise and supplementation with isoflavones are therapies used to prevent and treat climacteric symptoms. AIM: To verify the effects of 10 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training and isoflavone supplementation on climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed. A total of 32 postmenopausal women, aged 54.4 ± 5.4 years, with a body mass index of 26.6 ± 3.0 kg/m2 and 5.6 ± 4.6 years after menopause, were randomly assigned to groups: placebo and exercise (PLA + EXE, n = 15) or 100 mg of isoflavone and exercise (ISO + EXE, n = 17). At the beginning and after 10 weeks of aerobic + resistance (20 min each, moderate intensity) training, climacteric symptoms were evaluated using the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index, Cervantes Scale and Menopause Rating Scale. ANCOVA was used for analysis between groups and at different times, with the covariate adjusted by the pre-value. The level of significance considered was p < 0.05. RESULTS: A reduction in climacteric symptoms was observed in both groups, without differences between the interventions. The reductions were 45% and 50% for the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index, 41% and 52% for the MRS and 39% and 39% for the Cervantes Scale in the ISO + EXE and PLA + EXE groups, respectively. In the descriptive analysis of the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index values, there was an increase in the absence of symptoms from 48-77% in the ISO + EXE group and 24-58% in the PLA + EXE group. CONCLUSIONS: A period of 10 weeks of combined training was effective in improving climacteric symptoms in post-menopausal women. However, isoflavone supplementation did not promote additional effects in improving symptoms.

Effect of aerobic exercise training on cGMP levels and blood pressure in treated hypertensive postmenopausal women

Abstract The second messenger cGMP has been largely studied as a therapeutic target in a variety of disorders such as erectile dysfunction, arterial hypertension and heart failure. Evidence has shown thatcGMP activators are less efficient in estrogen-deficiency animals, but no studies exist involving non-pharmacological approacheson NO/cGMP signaling pathway in hypertensive postmenopausal women. The aim of this study is to examine NO/cGMP pathway, redox state and blood pressure in trained treatedhypertensive (HT) postmenopausal women comparing with normotensive (NT) group. The rationale for that is most of HT patients is encouraged by physician to perform exercise associated with pharmacological treatments.Aerobic exercise training (AET) consisted of 24 sessions, 3 times/week.Parameters were evaluated at baseline and after AET for both groups (HT=28; NT=33).In treatedHT group, AET was significantly effective in increasing cGMP concentrations (28%) accompanied by an up-regulation of SOD (97%) and catalase activity (37%). In NT group, we found an increasein SOD activity (58%). TreatedHT postmenopausal women were still responsive to AET increasing cGMP levels and up-regulating antioxidant system. It should also be emphasized that these findings provide information on the circulating biomarkers that might delay the developing of cardiovascular events in this particular population.(AU)

Combined effects of aerobic exercise and l-arginine ingestion on blood pressure in normotensive postmenopausal women: A crossover study.

After menopause the incidence of cardiovascular diseases increases in women. A decrease in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability has been pointed out to play a major role in this phenomenon. Since it is believed that l-arginine administration could improve NO bioavailability, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of acute l-arginine administration associated with aerobic exercise on blood pressure (BP), redox state and inflammatory biomarkers in normotensive postmenopausal women (NPW). Sixteen volunteers (57±6yr) were subjected to four experimental sessions (crossover design): arginine+exercise (A-E); arginine (ARG); exercise+placebo (EXE); control (CON). Each session was initiated with either 9g of l-arginine ingestion (ARG or A-E days), placebo (EXE day), or nothing (CON day). The participants performed 30min of aerobic exercise (A-E and EXE days) or sitting rest (CON and ARG days). Blood samples were collected before each session and 45min after the intervention. Office BP and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were evaluated. NO/cGMP pathway, redox state and inflammatory biomarkers were measured. Systolic BP decreased during the 24-hour in A-E and EXE sessions. However, diastolic BP reduced only in A-E session. No changes were found in the biomarkers concentrations. In conclusion, the association was effective in lowering diastolic BP in NPW. Additionally, physical exercise alone promoted a long lasting effect on systolic BP measured by ABPM in this population, although this beneficial effect was not associated with changes in the cardio-inflammatory biomarkers. Possibly, other factors such as neural influences could be mediating this effect.

Influence of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular and endocrine-inflammatory biomarkers in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Given that few studies have examined the interaction between endocrine-inflammatory mediators and aerobic exercise training in hypertensive postmenopausal women, the aim of this study was to investigate whether aerobic exercise training (AET) for twenty-four sessions would alter cortisol, leptin and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels. To further analyze endothelium function in response to AET, we also examined redox state as well as NO/cGMP pathway in this population. Eighteen hypertensive postmenopausal women finished this study. AET program consisted of 24 sessions in treadmill, 3 times per week, duration of 30 up to 40 min for each session, for 8 weeks at intensity of 100% of the MLSS according to previous incremental test. Heart rate was monitored in all studied time (resting and during exercise sessions). After 48 h of the last exercise session, blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses (levels of cortisol, leptin, IL-1ß, nitrite/nitrate (NOx-), cGMP, malondialdehyde (MDA) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA); superoxide and catalase activity). We also measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A significant reduction in body mass was observed. As expected, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly reduced after AET in hypertensive women. We also found a marked increase in NOx- levels as well as cGMP concentration in trained women, approximately 37.7 and 30.8%, respectively. No changes in cortisol, leptin, ADMA and IL-1ß levels were observed after AET. Similarly, MDA levels and catalase activity were not affected by AET. In contrast, a marked increase in SOD activity was found (86.6%). In conclusion, our findings show that aerobic exercise training for twenty-four sessions promoted a significant reduction in blood pressure by activating NO/cGMP pathway as well as by promoting an up-regulation of SOD activity without changing in cortisol/leptin levels in postmenopausal hypertensive women.

Increased plasma availability of L-arginine in the postprandial period decreases the postprandial lipemia in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Older adults have exaggerated postprandial lipemia, which increases their risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the effects of increased plasma L-arginine (L-ARG) availability on the oxidation of ingested fat (enriched with [1,1,1-(13)C]-triolein) and plasma triacylglycerol (TG) concentrations during the postprandial period in older subjects. METHODS: On one day, eight healthy subjects (67.8 ± 1.3 y old) received an intravenous infusion of L-ARG during the first hour of the postprandial period (L-ARG trial), while on a separate day, and in a randomized order, they received saline (control trial). RESULTS: The 8-h area under the plasma concentration-time curve describing the postprandial plasma TG concentrations was considerably lower in the L-ARG trial than in the control trial (-4 ± 21 versus 104 ± 21 mg ∙ dL(-1) ∙ h(-1), P < 0.01). The rate of the postprandial oxidation of the ingested lipid was not different between the trials, but the average contribution of the ingested oleate to the oleate of the TG of the plasma small TG-rich lipoproteins (Svedberg flotation index 20-400) was lower in the L-ARG trial (11 ± 1 versus 18 ± 2%, P < 0.01). L-ARG infusion also decreased the 8-h area under the plasma concentration-time curve of the plasma free fatty acid concentrations derived from the ingested fat compared with the saline infusion (0.77 ± 0.09 versus 1.11 ± 0.08; mmol ∙ L(-1) ∙ h(-1), P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Increasing the plasma L-ARG availability during the postprandial period decreases the postprandial lipemia in older adults, in association with a decrease in the postprandial contribution of ingested lipids into TGs of the plasma small TG-rich lipoproteins.