EXERCISE TRAINING IMPROVES ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: PP.6.252

Abstract

Background: Various humoral systems have been proposed to play a role in postmenopausal hypertension and increased risk of coronary artery disease, such as changes in estrogen/androgen ratios, endothelium dysfunction, and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. It has been demonstrated that some interventions, known to reduce CV risk also, improve endothelial function. Aim: To examine the reaction of endothelium, assess through changes of circulating blood markers of endothelial function: the stable end products of nitric oxide (NOx) and S – nitrosothiols (RSNO – reservoir for bioavailable nitric oxide), that promote exercise training in hypertensive postmenopausal women. Methods: 31 hypertensive postmenopausal women after myocardial infarction, in the absence of hormone replacement therapy, were studied. At baseline and 3 weeks later, in all women values of NOx and RSNO were evaluated. After the initial study, women were randomized to trained (T,n = 19) and control (C,n = 12) group. Women in T group underwent a supervised 3 weeks aerobic exercise training at residential center, while women in C group received usual community care.To elucidate the dynamic of nitric oxide metabolism in the circulation, NOx and RSNO concentration were determined according to the modified Saville-Griess method. Results: After 3 weeks NOx increased significantly only in T group (from 24.9 ± 4.3 to 44.5 ± 12.2 μmol/l, P < 0.0001), as well as RSNO (from 3.2 ± 1.4 to 5.6 ± 2.2 μmol/l, P < 0,005), while in C group NOx and RSNO showed slightly changes (NOx increased from 26.6 ± 4.6 to 30.0 ± 4.8 μmol/l, NS, difference 12.8%; and RSNO from 3.0 ± 1.1 to 3.5 ± 1.3 μmol/l, NS, difference 16.6%). Baseline values of NOx and RSNO did not differ significantly between T and C group, but after 3 weeks, value of NOx was significantly higher in T than in C group (44.5 ± 12.2 vs 30.0 ± 4.8 μmol/l, P < 0,001), as well as value of RSNO (5.6 ± 2.2 vs 3.5 ± 1.3 μmol/l, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Residential short-term exercise training in hypertensive postmenopausal women after myocardial infarction, induced significant favorable modification of endothelial function, expressed through significant increased of NOx and RSNO.