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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Exercise Training Restores Hypertension-Induced Changes in the Elastic Tissue of the Thoracic Aorta

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Author(s):
Jordao, Maria Tereza [1, 2] ; Ladd, Fernando V. L. [3] ; Coppi, Antonio Augusto [3] ; Chopard, Renato P. [2] ; Michelini, Lisete C. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anat, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Surg, Lab Stochast Stereol & Chem Anat, Coll Vet Med, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF VASCULAR RESEARCH; v. 48, n. 6, p. 513-524, 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 15
Abstract

Background/Aims: Pharmacological antihypertensive therapies decrease both wall hypertrophy and collagen, but are unable to diminish the elastic content in the thoracic aorta. We investigated the effects of exercise training on aortic structure and function. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY), submitted to low-intensity training (T) or kept sedentary (S), were subjected to haemodynamic analyses. The thoracic aorta was processed for real-time PCR, light (morphometric/stereological evaluations) and electron microscopy. Results: SHR S versus WKY S exhibited a higher heart rate, pressure and pulse pressure, increased alpha-actin, elastin and collagen mRNA expression, augmented wall volume and cross-sectional area (marked elastin/collagen content). In the SHR, training reduced pressure and heart rate, with slight reduction in pulse pressure. SHR T aortas exhibited small morphometric changes, reduced alpha-actin, elastin and collagen mRNA expression, normalization of increased elastic content, reduction in collagen/connective tissue and a decrease in smooth muscle cell volume (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). SHR(T) aortas showed improved circumferential orientation of smooth muscle cells and prevention of rupture/duplication of internal elastic lamina. No effects were observed in trained WKY aortas. Conclusions: Training effectively corrects elastic, collagen and smooth muscle content in SHR aortas. These changes, by reducing aortic pulsatility, facilitate a buffering function and reduce the cardiovascular risk. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel (AU)