Abstract
Beneficial effects of physical activity on hypertension are well known, however the precise mechanisms of exercise in early stage of hypertension are poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that chronic moderate intensity exercise would reduce myocardial oxidative stress and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (PICs) in hypertensive rats, thereby contributing to lowered blood pressure and improved cardiac function. Young normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive rats (SHR) were given moderate intensity exercise for 15 weeks. Blood pressure was measured by tail‐cuff system. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide production was estimated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance method. Real time‐PCR was used for determination of PICs and NADPH oxidase genes. Chronic exercise caused a significant reduction in blood pressure in SHR. Trained SHR showed decreased left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness and Tei index indicating reduced concentric hypertrophy and improved cardiac function. Exercise training caused a significant reduction of PICs, NOX2 and iNOS in SHR which was associated with attenuated total ROS and superoxide production. In summary, exercise exerts its beneficial effects by decreasing oxidative stress and PICs. Grant support: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute grant HL‐80544 for Dr. Joseph Francis.
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
