The effects of periodized concurrent and aerobic training on oxidative stress parameters, endothelial function and immune response in sedentary male individuals of middle age

Abstract

The vascular endothelium plays a key role in arterial wall homeostasis by preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation. A primary causal factor of endothelial dysfunction is the reactive oxygen species. Aerobic exercise is ascribed as an important adjuvant therapy in endothelium-dependent cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the effects of concurrent (aerobic + strength) training on that. For a comparison of the effects of aerobic and concurrent physical training on endothelial function, oxidative stress parameters and the immunoinflammatory activity of monocytes/macrophages, 20 adult male volunteers of middle age were divided into a concurrent training (CT) programme group and an aerobic training group. The glutathione disulphide to glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH) and plasma lipoperoxide (LPO) levels, as well as flow-mediated dilation (FMD), monocyte/macrophage functional activity (zymosan phagocytosis), body lipid profiles, aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen uptake) and strength parameters (one-repetition maximum test), were measured before and after the exercise training programmes. The CT exhibited reduced acute effects of exercise on the GSSG/GSH ratio, plasma LPO levels and zymosan phagocytosis. The CT also displayed improved lipid profiles, glycaemic control, maximal oxygen uptake and one-repetition maximum test values. In both the aerobic training and the CT, training improved the acute responses to exercise, as inferred from a decrease in the GSSG/GSH ratios. The aerobic sessions did not alter basal levels of plasma LPO or macrophage phagocytic activity but improved FMD values as well as lipid profiles and glycaemic control. In summary, both training programmes improve systemic redox status and antioxidant defences. However, the aerobic training was more efficient in improving FMD in the individuals studied.

A randomized trial of exercise for blood pressure reduction in type 2 diabetes: Effect on flow-mediated dilation and circulating biomarkers of endothelial function

“…Lastly, inclusion of resistance training may have attenuated expected FMD improvements because resistance training may increase vascular stiffness and in combination with aerobic training may produce a null effect. 31 Consistent with this, pulse wave velocity did not improve among exercisers during our intervention (922 vs. 930 cm/s, p =0.87). 26 Two of the previously mentioned studies reporting improved FMD with combined aerobic and resistance training using either a circuit-training protocol that alternated 45-second aerobic and resistance exercises 22 or aerobic followed by resistance training.…”

Edward F. Adolph Distinguished Lecture: The remarkable anti-aging effects of aerobic exercise on systemic arteries

“…7). Other laboratories have reported improvements in brachial artery FMD in response to aerobic exercise training in middleaged healthy and/or mildly hypertensive men (62,85). The results of studies performed in rodent models assessing EDD, generally in the carotid arteries and skeletal muscle arterioles, support these observations in human subjects (17,70,71).…”

“…However, an intervention trial in which healthy men and women underwent swim training found a significant improvement in brachial artery FMD (57). In men, both walk/jog/run-and cycling-based aerobic exercise programs have been associated with enhanced endothelial function in MA/O subjects (12,59,62), although lack of improvements also has been reported with cycle training (77). The intervention studies in women showing improvements in brachial artery FMD with aerobic exercise have utilized walking and/or cycling training (2,72,86).…”

“…The intervention studies in women showing improvements in brachial artery FMD with aerobic exercise have utilized walking and/or cycling training (2,72,86). The limited available data do not support a beneficial effect of resistance exercise training on endothelial function in MA/O adults (postmenopausal women) (7), and the addition of resistance training to aerobic exercise has been reported to suppress improvements in brachial artery FMD induced by aerobic exercise training alone in middle-aged men (62). Several studies in MA/O adults have shown improvements in endothelial function with aerobic exercise frequencies of Ն3 days/wk (2,12,57,59,62,72,86).…”

Neutrophil and Monocyte Bactericidal Responses to 10 Weeks of Low‐Volume High‐Intensity Interval or Moderate‐Intensity Continuous Training in Sedentary Adults

“…The percentage of cells producing ROS suggests that not all monocytes were equally phagocytically active, and our results may be influenced by the training-induced increase in CD16-negative monocytes (see below) which could influence ROS production. Schaun and colleagues observed no difference in monocyte phagocytosis following 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training [35], though they used a TLR2 agonist (zymosan) rather than bacteria. Of interest is that basal and stimulated monocyte ROS production and phagocytosis is suggested to be higher in obese individuals [36].…”