Cardiovascular and autonomic profiles in offspring of fructose fed parents: role of anti‐inflammatory cholinergic reflex and exercise training

Abstract

AimConsidering that anti‐inflammatory cholinergic reflex has been implicated in cardiovascular disorder, and spleen seems to be a critical organ in this reflex, here we evaluated the impact of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic profiles in offspring of rats submitted to fructose overload, as well as, the role of the splenectomy in this condition.MethodsOffspring of Wistar rats treated with fructose or placebo (water) were divided into 5 groups: Sedentary Control (OC), Sedentary Fructose (OF), Trained Fructose (OFT), Splenectomized Sedentary Fructose (OFE) and Splenectomized Trained Fructose (OFST). Fructose overload (10%) was started 30 days after weaning only for the parents and continued until the end of lactation. The offspring received standard feeding and were evaluated 30 days after weaning, at which time the spleen was removed (splenectomy) and the aerobic exercise training was realized on treadmill (1h/d, 5d/week, 4 weeks, moderate intensity). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) signals were direct recorded, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was measured using increasing doses of phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside. Oxidative stress was measured in cardiac tissue.ResultsSystolic BP, Diastolic BP and Mean BP increase in OF compared to OC, OFT, OFE and OFST groups (OC: 105±1.3, OF: 112±1.6, OFT: 104±2.4, OFE: 103±3.1, OFST: 104±2 mmHg) HR reduced in the OFT compared to the OC group. Regarding BRS, bradycardic and tachycardic responses were impaired in OF compared to OC group; and OFE, OFT and OFST groups increased these parameters compared to OF group. In the antioxidant profile in cardiac tissue, the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were reduced in the OF group compared to the OC group, and increased in the OFE, OFT and OFST groups compared to the OF group. Protein oxidation was increased in the OF group compared to the OC, OFE, OFT and OFST groups (OC: 5.37±0.15, OF: 6.41±0.21, OFT: 4.93±0.3, OFE: 4.94±0.23, OFST: 4.66±0.46 nmol/mg protein). The redox balance of glutathione (GSH/GSSG) was decreased in the OF group compared to the OC and OFT groups.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that fructose exposure in parents induced early changes in offspring BP, BRS and cardiac oxidative stress, that seems to be mediated, at least in part, by the anti‐inflammatory cholinergic reflex. Moreover exercise training seems to prevent/attenuate such dysfunctions.