Exercise training improves aortic endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and determinants of nitric oxide bioavailability in spontaneously hypertensive rats

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Abstract
The present study examined in vitro vasomotor function and expression of enzymes controlling nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability in thoracic aorta of adult male normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that either remained sedentary (Sed) or performed 6 wk of moderate aerobic exercise training (Ex). Training efficacy was confirmed by elevated maximal activities of both citrate synthase ( P = 0.0024) and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase ( P = 0.0073) in the white gastrocnemius skeletal muscle of Ex vs. Sed rats. Systolic blood pressure was elevated in SHR vs. WKY ( P < 0.0001) but was not affected by Ex. Despite enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation to 10-8M ACh in SHR vs. WKY ( P = 0.0061), maximal endothelium-dependent relaxation to 10-4M ACh was blunted in Sed SHR (48 ± 12%) vs. Sed WKY (84 ± 6%, P = 0.0067). Maximal endothelium-dependent relaxation to 10-4M ACh was completely restored in Ex SHR (93 ± 9%) vs. Sed SHR ( P = 0.0011). Nω-nitro-l-arginine abolished endothelium-dependent relaxation in all groups ( P ≤ 0.0001) and caused equal vasocontraction to maximal ACh in Sed SHR and Ex SHR. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was similar in all groups. Protein levels of endothelial NO synthase were higher in SHR vs. WKY ( P = 0.0157) and in Ex vs. Sed ( P = 0.0536). Protein levels of the prooxidant NAD(P)H oxidase subunit, gp91phox, were higher in SHR vs. WKY ( P < 0.0001) and were diminished in Ex vs. Sed ( P = 0.0557). Levels of the antioxidant SOD-1, -2, and catalase enzymes were lower in SHR vs. WKY (all P ≤ 0.0005) but were not altered by Ex. Thus elevated gp91phox-dependent oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity likely contributed to impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in Sed SHR. Furthermore, reduced gp91phox-dependent oxidative stress and enhanced endothelial NO synthase-derived NO likely contributed to restored endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in Ex SHR.

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