Enalapril‐associated combined training is most effective in reducing SBP in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

High blood pressure is the leading risk factor to development of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Diuretic and angiotensin‐converting enzyme blockers treatment is widely used for its efficiency in reducing blood pressure (BP). Combined physical training (aerobic + resistance) is recommended for hypertensive patients, however, it is not yet clear whether the combination of antihypertensive treatment with this training modality results in additional benefits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined training with different drug treatments on systolic BP (SBP) of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Twenty‐eight SHR rats were divided into four groups (n=7/group): HSM (hydrochlorothiazide sedentary males), HTM (hydrochlorothiazide trained males), ESM (enalapril sedentary males) and ETM (enalapril trained males). Drugs were administered in drinking water at the following doses: enalapril 10 mg/kg/day and hydrochlorothiazide 30 mg/kg/day. All groups underwent exercise testing before and after 2 months. The trained groups performed combined training 3 times a week, being aerobic and resistance at same session, moderate intensity. The SBP was analyzed by caudal plethysmography before starting the drugs and 24h after the last training session. As a result, only HTM group increased the body weight (HTM vs. HSM, p=0.001). Both trained groups increased maximal aerobic exercise test (p<0.0001) and resistance exercise test (HTM vs. HSM, p=0.02; ETM vs. ESM, p<0,0001) versus the group control. We observed that there was no difference in the initial SBP between the groups (HSM 176±4.3, HTM 175±3, ESM 173±1.4 and ETM 183±3 mmHg) and there was a reduction in the HTM (161±1.3 mmHg), ESM (159 ± 4.4 mmHg) and ETM (147 ± 3.3 mmHg) groups. In addition, the trained group associated with enalapril treatment further reduced SBP when compared to the hydrochlorothiazide‐trained group (ETM vs. HTM, p=0.02). Therefore, the data support that the combination of drug treatment with enalapril and combined physical training in the same training session is more effective in reducing blood pressure than the combination with hydrochlorothiazide. It is noteworthy that the training proposed in this study was performed three times a week, getting closer to human reality and being enough for additional benefits in the control of blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats.Support or Funding InformationCAPES