Abstract
The prevalence of hypertension sharply increases in menopausal women. Recent studies have demonstrated that aerobic or resistance training may help control hypertension. In this study, we report that combining aerobic and resistance training may provide an effective therapeutic approach for hypertension control, attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress in ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar and spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) were distributed into four groups: sedentary control (C), sedentary hypertensive (HR), sedentary hypertensive ovariectomized (HR-O), and combined trained hypertensive ovariectomized (T-HR-O). Combined exercise training was performed on a motor treadmill (aerobic training) and on a ladder adapted to rats (resistance training), in alternate days for 8 weeks. Direct arterial pressure was recorded and oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated in cardiac and renal tissue. Ovariectomy increases increased mean arterial blood pressure, sympathetic modulation, and oxidative stress in SHR. Combining aerobic and resistance training reduced mean arterial blood pressure (12% vs. HR-O), heart rate (8% vs. HR-O), vascular sympathetic modulation (40% vs. HR-O), and improved baroreflex sensitivity. Combined training reduced cardiac inflammation (TNF and IL-6) and cardiac and renal lipoperoxidation (59% and 57%, respectively vs. HR-O). It also enhanced cardiac (71%) and renal (76%) total antioxidant capacity when compared to HR-O group. In conclusion, combining aerobic and resistance training improves mean arterial blood pressure, cardiovascular autonomic control, preventing cardiac and renal oxidative stress and inflammation in an experimental hypertension model with surgical menopause induced with ovariectomy.
Highlights
Hypertension is one of the main factors contributing to cardiovascular disorders (Mozaffarian et al, 2016)
Combined exercise training was performed on a motor treadmill and on a ladder adapted for rats, on alternate days, 5 days/week, for 8 weeks
Despite the large number of studies looking at the benefits of either aerobic or resistance exercise, it was still unclear whether the combination of these two exercises modalities would promote further beneficial effects on hypertension control in menopausal women
Summary
Hypertension is one of the main factors contributing to cardiovascular disorders (Mozaffarian et al, 2016). The mechanisms underlying this increased susceptibility remain unclear, recent studies have suggested that menopausal women have increased sympathetic tone, which in turn may increase arterial blood pressure and lead to renal damage (Hogarth et al, 2011; Maranon et al, 2014) Both chronic inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension (Watson et al, 2008; Gocmen et al, 2014). It is important to highlight that studies have observed that autonomic nervous system can modulate inflammation, and oxidative stress (Pavlov and Tracey, 2012) In this sense, a recent study from our group reported that an impairment in baroreflex sensitivity, which is an excellent index of autonomic dysfunction, preceded changes in markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in hypertensive rats submitted to fructose overload (Bernardes et al, 2018). These findings suggest that sympathetic dysfunction can be the trigger to hypertension development through increased inflammation and oxidative stress in menopausal women
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
