Comparison of short-term and medium-term swimming training on cardiodynamics and coronary flow in high salt-induced hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Abstract

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of 3- and 6-week swimming exercise on cardiodynamics and coronary flow in high salt-induced hypertensive and normotensive rats. 80 male Wistar albino rats (6weeks old) were divided into 8 groups: hypertensive animals that swam for 3 weeks; hypertensive animals that swam for 6weeks and their respective sedentary controls; normotensive animals that swam for 3weeks; normotensive animals that swam for 6weeks and their respective sedentary controls. Hypertensive animals were on high sodium (8% NaCl solution) diet for 4weeks, and these animals did not drink tap water during the experimental protocol. After sacrificing, hearts were isolated and perfused according to Langendorff technique at gradually increased coronary perfusion pressure (40-120cmH2O). The following parameters of cardiac function were continuously recorded: maximum and minimum rate of pressure development in LV, systolic, and diastolic left ventricular pressure, and heart rate. Coronary flow was measured flowmetrically. Findings of the present study may help in better understanding of short- to medium-term exercise-induced direct effects on cardiac function and perfusion. Generally viewed, swimming of both durations did not change myocardial function and perfusion in hypertensive and normotensive conditions.