Abstract
Aim: This study evaluated the effects of 10 weeks of combined exercise training on the salivary oxidative profile of hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. Methods: Twenty-six non-obese postmenopausal women were divided into two groups: the hypertensive group (HT; n = 13; 58.9 ± 3.9 years; and BMI of 27.7 ± 4.6 kg/m2) or the normotensive group (NT; n = 13; 52.7 ± 5.2 years; and BMI of 26.9 ± 2.9 kg/m2). They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises over 10 weeks: 45 min per session, three times a week. Resting saliva samples were collected after an overnight fast to evaluate salivary nitrite levels and oxidative stress markers before and after training. Results: Two-way ANOVA showed that there was no difference in the responses over time between the hypertensive and normotensive groups in catalase, superoxide dismutase salivary activity, total antioxidant capacity, or lipid peroxidation. However, superoxide dismutase activity (δHT -0.87 ± 14.53 SOD/mg protein; δNT: 7.13 ± 9.39 SOD/mg protein; p < 0.01) and nitrite levels (δHT 10.32 ± 60.83 mM; δNT 101.92 ± 149.57 mM; p = 0.03) were higher overall in the hypertensive group compared to the normotensive group. Moreover, salivary nitrite levels increased over time (p = 0.04) in both groups. Conclusion: 10 weeks of combined exercise training did not change salivary oxidative stress markers in either normotensive or hypertensive postmenopausal women, although, after exercise training, nitrite levels increased in both groups, even with higher baseline salivary nitrite levels in hypertensive women. Thus, recurrent exercise seems to be a safe strategy after menopause from the standpoint of oxidative stress, regardless of the presence of hypertension.
Highlights
Menopause is characterized by the cessation of estrogen production by the ovaries, resulting in permanent amenorrhea[1]
The main form of nitric oxide (NO) production is the L-arginine pathway, which occurs from NO synthase (NOS) isoforms, mainly by endothelial NOS, which can be produced by the vascular endothelium and is directly linked to the regulation of vascular tone and maintenance of endothelial integrity[9]
Forty volunteers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited, and 14 volunteers were excluded: one modified their antihypertensive medication during the protocol, one sample analysis failed, two left due to health problems not related to the study, four did not complete for personal reasons, and six due to incompatible frequency or scheduling
Summary
Menopause is characterized by the cessation of estrogen production by the ovaries, resulting in permanent amenorrhea[1]. The lack of this hormone can lead to endothelial dysfunction and increase oxidative stress[4] which may trigger cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension[5] In this way, the imbalance between prooxidant and antioxidant factors leads to oxidative stress, causing cell damage[6] due to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production[6]. Oxidative stress caused by diseases associated with endothelium dysfunction can increase the activation of antioxidant enzymes, such as Exercise and oxidative stress after menopause catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in an attempt to maintain body homeostasis[10]. Assessment of antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage in saliva could provide alternative ways to find information about oxidative balance through less invasive methods than venipuncture
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