Resistance training improves femoral artery endothelial dysfunction in aged rats

Abstract

Although endurance exercise improves age-associated endothelial dysfunction, few studies have examined the effects of resistance training and the potential molecular mechanisms involved in altering vascular reactivity with age. Young (9 months) and aged (20 months) male, Fisher 344 rats were divided into four groups: Young Sedentary (YS, n = 14), Young Trained (YT, n = 10), Aged Sedentary (AS, n = 12), and Aged Trained (AT, n = 10). Resistance training consisted of climbing a 1 m wire ladder, at an 85 degrees angle, 3 days/week for 6 weeks with increasing weight added to the tail. Endothelial function in femoral arteries was determined by constructing acetylcholine dose-response curves on a wire myograph. Femoral artery phospho-Ser1179-eNOS, eNOS and Hsp90 expression were evaluated by Western blot. Acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was significantly (P < 0.05) impaired in AS compared to YS and YT but not AT compared to YS and YT. Phospho-Ser1179-eNOS and eNOS were elevated (P < 0.05) in aged animals but not changed with resistance training. Resistance training increased Hsp90 levels in both young and old animals. Therefore, resistance training improves age-associated endothelial dysfunction in femoral arteries without changes in eNOS phosphorylation and expression. Increased Hsp90 expression, a regulator of eNOS activity and coupling, suggests a potential mechanism for this improvement.

Long‐term effects of aerobic training versus combined aerobic and resistance training in modifying cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy elderly men

“…27,28 A recent prospective study of 1429 participants with physician-diagnosed CVD showed that participation in moderate-tovigorous physical activity at least three times per week was associated with a reduced risk of CVD death. 34,35 Finally, the tendency for the aggregation of various risk factors was expected, but it was also expected that both exercise programs would contradict this tendency. 2 Available research focusing on moderate-to-vigorous exercise reported a direct protective effect on vascular factors, and improvements in BP, lipid profile and body fat loss.…”

Voluntary aerobic exercise increases arterial resilience and mitochondrial health with aging in mice

“…Exercise is a potent stimulus for induction of Hsp and increases localization of Hsp in the coronary and skeletal muscle vasculature [67–68], and this is thought to contribute to the protective effects of aerobic exercise in these tissues [67–69]. Although few studies have specifically examined the effects of aerobic exercise on Hsp induction in the systemic vasculature, resistance training-induced increases in femoral artery Hsp90 were associated with improve-ments in eNOS activity and arterial function in young and old rats [70]. In the present study, we observed that arterial expression of Hsp90 was significantly increased in both young and old mice following the voluntary aerobic exercise intervention.…”

Progressive resistance training prevents loss of muscle mass and strength in bile duct‐ligated rats

“…If all eight climbs were successfully completed, an extra 40 g were added to the 9th climb ‐setting a new maximal load. Each animal performed 8‐12 dynamic movements/repetitions per climb …”

“…BDL-rats tolerated progressive resistance training and as a result muscle strength and calf size were greater in BDL-exercise rats compared to BDL-controls (not exercising) at the end of the study.successfully completed, an extra 40 g were added to the 9th climb -setting a new maximal load. Each animal performed 8-12 dynamic movements/repetitions per climb 17.…”