Abstract
Studies have shown that supplementation with Spirulina platensis improves vascular reactivity. However, it is unclear whether in association with strength training this effect can be enhanced. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of strength training and S. platensis on the reactivity of the aorta from Wistar rat and the possible mechanisms involved. The animals were supplemented with S. platensis and divided into sedentary (SG, SG50, SG150, and SG500) and trained groups (TG, TG50, TG150, and TG500). Nitrite, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant activity were determined by biochemical assays. To evaluate vascular response, cumulative concentration—response curves to phenylephrine (PHE) and acetylcholine (ACh) were constructed. L-NAME was used to assess the participation of nitric oxide (NO). It was observed that the PHE contractile potency was reduced in TG50, TG150, and TG500 groups compared to SG50, SG150, and SG500 groups, respectively. However, the presence of L-NAME increased the contractile response in all groups. Strength training potentiated the increase in relaxing activity induced by S. platensis, where the pCE50 values of ACh increased in TG150 and TG500. These responses were accompanied by increased nitrite production, MDA reduction and increased antioxidant activity in the aorta of both TG150 and TG500 groups. Thus, the present study demonstrated that combined with strength training, S. platensis potentiates vascular improvement through the participation of NO and reduction of oxidative stress.
Highlights
Only the supplemented with S. platensis at 500 mg/kg showed a reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) when compared to trained group (TG) (250.0 ± 24.0 vs. 338.0 ± 60.0 U/L, respectively), trained group 50 (TG50) (250.0 ± 24.0 vs. 347.0 ± 36.0 U/L, respectively) and trained group 150 (TG150) (250.0 ± 24.0 vs. 335.0 ± 30.0 U/L, respectively) (Figure 2A)
The muscle wasting markers LDH and creatine kinase (CK) in the trained groups did not change in relation to the untrained groups, indicating that the training load was well supported by the animals (Figure 2)
Among the animals subjected to strength training and supplementation with S. platensis, doses of 150 and 500 mg/kg shifted the concentration-response curve to the right compared to TG and TG50 (Figure 3)
Summary
Research has shown that physical training performed regularly promotes improvement of endothelial function by increasing relaxant response and decreasing contractile reactivity (Silva et al, 2011; Blanco-Rivero et al, 2013; Trinity et al, 2013), as well as by having a protective effect against oxidative stress, reducing the production of free radicals and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (Ferrara et al, 2008; Roque et al, 2013). There are only three studies described by Figard et al (2006), Harris et al (2010), and Araujo et al (2013), there was no consensus between protocols In this view, little attention has been given to the contractile reactivity and possible mechanisms of action
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