Moderate Regular Exercise Increases Basal Production of Nitric Oxide in Elderly Women

Abstract

Vascular endothelial cells produce nitric oxide (NO), which is a potent vasodilator substance and is thoughtto have antiatherosclerotic properties. Therefore, it has also been proposed that NO may be useful to regulate vascular tonus and prevent progression of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, NO activity reduces with aging. We previously reported that the plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx: the stable end product of NO) concentration was significantly increased by intense aerobic exercise training in healthy young humans. We hypothesized that lifestyle modification (e.g., even mild regular exercise training) can increase NO production in previously sedentary older humans. We measured the plasma NOx concentration before and after a mild aerobic exer-

Mechanism behind Augmentation in Baroreflex Sensitivity after Acute Exercise in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

“…Elevated arterial pressure during exercise may induce a strong myogenic response in the carotid smooth muscle (24), and when exercise is terminated and arterial pressure suddenly drops, the myogenic smooth muscle contraction would be left unopposed, causing a transient decrease in carotid artery distensibility. Following this, as observed after chronic exercise training (25), increased production of endothelial-derived relaxing factors such as nitric oxide, which is induced by factors associated with exercise, such as an increases in blood flow (26,27) and catecholamines (28), may relax vascular smooth muscle, leading to an increase in arterial distensibility. Alternatively, increase in vasa vasorum blood flow may contribute to increased aortic distensibility during the postexercise period (29).…”

Effects of voluntary exercise on structure and function of cortical microvasculature

“…47,51,53,54,[92][93][94][95][96] Exercise upregulates NO production, which can influence the increase of BDNF production and improve cerebrovascular functionality. 25,35,39,97 Meanwhile chronic exercise regime has shown to decrease reactive oxidative species production and neuroinflammation, decreasing their negative effects on the above-mentioned growth factors and NO production. 7,27,36,96,98,99 Notwithstanding, the mechanisms underlying its many effects are not fully elucidated, hindering the rational design of exercisebased interventions.…”

Exercise modulation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC): towards a molecular signature of healthy aging

“…For example, among adult patients with metabolic syndrome higher levels of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress and lower TAC were demonstrated . A practice of regular exercise in the elderly leads to adaptation to oxidative and nitrosative stresses, decreasing mitochondrial release of free radicals and their reactive species, increasing TAC and cellular antioxidants such as GSH and nitric oxide, which in turn improve endothelial health and reduce systemic inflammation contributing to decreased risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome (Fatouros et al 2004;Maeda et al 2004;Suvorava and Kojda 2007;Seals et al 2009;Gando et al 2010;Newsholme et al 2010;Teixeira-Lemos et al 2011). Thus, regular exercise can afford an excellent maintenance of lower levels of oxidative stress with adequate levels of total antioxidants, promoting healthy aging.…”