Effects of probiotic treatment on hypertension and arterial stiffness in sedentary and trained spontaneously hypertensive rats.

• Grant number: 24/00025-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Lia do Amaral Cardoso
• Grantee: Juliana Barbosa Gomes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are characterized by pathologies in the heart or circulatory system and present a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Arterial hypertension (AH), which is a risk factor for CVD, has been considered the main cause of premature death in the world. Associated with it, there is a change in vessel compliance causing arterial stiffness, and this parameter has been considered a great predictor of future cardiovascular events and damage to target organs. Physical training is today recognized worldwide as a non-pharmacological tool, supporting pharmacological treatment and recommended by several scientific societies for hypertension in and around the world. Furthermore, changes in the intestinal microbiota have recently received special attention, mainly due to their relationship with various pathologies and their risk factors, including AH and arterial stiffness. Several studies have demonstrated that changes in the intestinal microbiota can interfere with the health of various organs of the individual, being decisive for the development of various pathologies and their risk factors, including AH and arterial stiffness. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the role of the microbiota in hypertension and arterial stiffness in sedentary and trained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). For this purpose, the animals will be treated with probiotics and subjected to combined physical training for 2 months. Tail pressure analyses will be carried out every 15 days. Analyses of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the presence of bacteria (firmicutes and bacteroidetes) in feces will be carried out at the beginning and end of the experimental protocol. Protein analysis of collagen and elastin will be performed on the aorta of all the animals.