Vascular endothelium-derived factors and arterial stiffness in strength- and endurance-trained men

Abstract

Otsuki T, Maeda S, Iemitsu M, Saito Y, Tanimura Y, Ajisaka R, Miyauchi T. Vascular endothelium-derived factors and arterial stiffness in strength-and endurance-trained men. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 292: H786 -H791, 2007. First published September 22, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00678.2006.-Arterial stiffness is higher in strength-trained humans and lower in endurance-trained humans. However, the mechanisms underlying these different adaptations are unclear. Vascular endothelium-derived factors, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO), play an important role in the regulation of vascular tonus. We hypothesized that endogenous ET-1 and NO participate in the adaptation of arterial stiffness in different types of exercise training. The purpose of this study was to investigate plasma ET-1 and NO concentrations and arterial stiffness in strength-and endurance-trained men. Young strength-trained athletes (SA; n ϭ 11), endurance-trained athletes (EA; n ϭ 12), and sedentary control men (C; n ϭ 12) participated in this study. Maximal handgrip strength in SA and maximal oxygen uptake in EA were markedly greater than in C. Aortic pulse-wave velocity, which is an established index of arterial stiffness, was higher in SA and lower in EA than in C. Additionally, we measured systemic arterial compliance (SAC) using carotid artery applanation tonometry and Doppler echocardiography, because arterial stiffness is a primary determinant of the compliance. SAC was lower in SA and higher in EA compared with that in C. Plasma ET-1 concentrations were higher in SA compared with C and EA. We did not find significant differences in plasma NO concentrations (measured as the stable end product of NO, i.e., nitrite/nitrate). The relationships of plasma ET-1 concentrations to aortic pulse-wave velocity and SAC were linear. These results suggest that differences in endogenous ET-1 may partly participate in the mechanism underlying different adaptations of arterial stiffness in strength-and endurance-trained men. arterial compliance; endothelin-1; nitric oxide; pulse-wave velocity AN INCREASED VASCULAR TONUS enhances arterial stiffness (28, 33). The increased central arterial stiffness reduces arterial buffering function of the pulsation of blood pressure and flow (i.e., arterial compliance). Increased arterial stiffness and reduced arterial compliance implicate in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and have been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (2, 12). In addition, exercise training can affect arterial stiffness. Our laboratory and other groups have reported that arterial stiffness is decreased by endurance training (3, 9, 32) and increased by strength training (1, 21). However, the mechanisms underlying the different adaptations to these two types of exercise training are unclear.Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in the regulation of vascular activity by producing vasoactive substances, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO). ET-1 is a potent vasoconstr...

Systemic arterial compliance, systemic vascular resistance, and effective arterial elastance during exercise in endurance-trained men

“…We and other groups have reported that arterial compliance at rest is greater in physically active or ET than SC humans (4,12,15,29,30,32,45,47). Intervention studies have also demonstrated that endurance exercise training increases arterial compliance (6,40,46).…”

“…Although there are no differences in blood pressure at rest between the ET and SC humans, blood pressure is higher at maximal exercise load in the ET subjects, indicating the increases in blood pressure from rest to maximal exercise are greater in the ET than SC humans (33,38). Additionally, increased arterial compliance at rest in ET humans (4,6,12,15,29,30,32,40,(45)(46)(47), compared with SC humans, may increase the C reserve during exercise. Taken together, it is possible that the reductions of C from rest to exercise are more remarkable in ET humans compared with SC humans.…”

“…Their training regimen included 5.6 Ϯ 0.2 sessions/wk averaging 2.4 Ϯ 0.2 h/session. Athletes who had been concurrently performing both regular endurance and strength training (i.e., cross-training) were excluded, because C might be affected differently by endurance, strength, and cross trainings (13,25,27,29,30,46). The SC men had sedentary lifestyles (no regular physical activity) for at least 2 yr. All subjects were free of signs, symptoms, and history of any overt chronic diseases.…”

Effects of habitual exercise on blood pressure during aerobic and resistance exercise in older individuals

“…Aerobic training improves vascular load (i.e., arterial stiffness 4,14,15) and vascular conductance 14,16) ) and blunts sympathetic vasoconstriction during exercise (functional sympatholysis) 17) . It has also been reported that endurance-trained athletes 18,19) and physically active men with autism spectrum disorder 20) have lower arterial stiffness. These vascular changes after the training period possibly lower SBP during aerobic exercise.…”

“…We have reported that arterial stiffness is higher in strength-trained individuals 18) . Arterial stiffening in strength-trained individuals may be associated with higher levels of plasma endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor peptide 19) . On the other hand, aerobic training, which does not require intense muscle contractions, decreases vascular load [14][15][16] and increases functional sympatholysis 17) .…”