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This study assessed the effects of a resistance exercise training program on the inflammatory response associated with Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 signaling pathways in senior participants. Twenty-six healthy subjects (age, 69.5±1.3) were randomized to a training (TG; n=16) or a control (CG; n=10) group. TG performed an 8-week resistance training program, while CG followed their daily routines. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from blood samples obtained before and after the intervention, and levels of proteins involved in the TLR2, TLR4, and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-dependent and MyD88-independent pathways were analyzed. The inflammatory status was evaluated through messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein content of interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). After the 8-week resistance training, TLR2 and TLR4 protein expression was reduced in TG. MyD88, p65, phosphop38, TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon (TRIF), IKKi/IKKε, phospho-interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 3, and phosho-IRF7 were also downregulated in TG after the intervention. The training program induced an increase of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Hsp70 and a reduction of Hsp60. While TNF-α mRNA and protein values remained unchanged in both TG and CG, IL-10 mRNA and protein content were upregulated in TG after the intervention. CRP values decreased in TG only. The increase in Hsp70 negatively correlated with TLR2 and TLR4 downregulation. These data suggest that resistance exercise may represent an effective tool to ameliorate the pro-inflammatory status of old participants through an attenuation of MyD88-dependent and MyD88-independent TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways.

Aging is associated with a decline in autophagy and a state of low-grade inflammation which further affects apoptosis and autophagy. Importantly, these alterations could reverse with regular physical activity. This study assessed the effects of a resistance exercise training program on autophagy, NLRP3 inflammasome, and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from old subjects. Twenty-six healthy women and men (age, 69.6±1.5 yr) were randomized to a training (TG) or a control (CG) group. TG performed an 8-week resistance training program, while CG followed their daily routines. Protein expression of beclin-1, Atg12, Atg16 and LAMP-2 increased following the training program, while expression of p62/SQSTM1 and phosphorylation of ULK-1 at Ser757 were significantly lower. Resistance exercise also induced a decrease in NLRP3 expression and in the caspase-1/procaspase-1 ratio. Expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, as well as the Bad/BcL-2 ratio were reduced, and there was a significant decrease in the protein content of caspase-3. The results obtained seem to indicate that 8-week resistance training stimulates autophagy, prevents NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and reduces apoptosis in PBMCs from elderly subjects. These data could have a significant impact in prevention and rehabilitation programs currently employed in elderly population.

, women exhibit significantly higher plasma concentrations of ANG-(1-7) compared with men. In addition, this study describes a relationship between ANG-(1-7), vascular function, and diastolic blood pressure that appears to be sex dependent.

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Cuevas MJ, González-Gallego J. Effects of eccentric exercise on tolllike receptor 4 signaling pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Appl Physiol 112: 2011-2018, 2012. First published March 29, 2012 doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01499.2011This study aimed to investigate the response of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway to an acute bout of eccentric exercise, and to assess whether eccentric training attenuated the effects induced by acute eccentric exercise. Twenty men (22.4 Ϯ 0.5 yr) were divided into a control group (CG, n ϭ 8) and a training group (TG, n ϭ 12). Both groups performed two acute eccentric bouts on a squat machine in a 9-wk interval. During this time, TG followed a 6-wk eccentric training program (3 session/wk; 3-5 sets of 10 repetitions with loads ranging between the 40 and 50% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction). CD14, TLR4, and TNF-␣ mRNA levels, and CD14, TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6, TIR-domain-containing adapterinducing interferon-␤, phospho-IB kinases, phospho-IB, phospho-ERK-1/2, and TNF-␣ protein concentration were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, before, immediately, and 2 h after each eccentric bout. The first acute eccentric bout triggered a proinflammatory response mediated by an upregulation of all of the factors measured within the TLR4 signaling pathway. Following the training period and after the second acute bout, CG showed a similar proinflammatory response than that seen after the first bout. However, the eccentric training intervention decreased significantly the protein concentration of all factors analyzed in TG compared with results obtained after the first bout. These results suggest that the TLR4-signaling pathway plays a critical role in the proinflammatory response seen after acute eccentric exercise. This response was attenuated after an eccentric training program through myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent and -independent pathways.

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality and a major cause of disability worldwide. The dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is a pathological condition characterized mainly by a disruption in the balance between vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances and is proposed to play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Therefore, a precise evaluation of endothelial function in humans represents an important tool that could help better understand the etiology of multiple cardio-centric pathologies. Over the past twenty-five years, many methodological approaches have been developed to provide an assessment of endothelial function in humans. Introduced in 1989, the FMD test incorporates a forearm occlusion and subsequent reactive hyperemia that promotes nitric oxide production and vasodilation of the brachial artery. The FMD test is now the most widely utilized, non-invasive, ultrasonic assessment of endothelial function in humans and has been associated with future cardiovascular events. Although the FMD test could have clinical utility, it is a physiological assessment that has inherited several confounding factors that need to be considered. This article describes a standardized protocol for determining FMD including the recommended methodology to help minimize the physiological and technical issues and improve the precision and reproducibility of the assessment.