Impact of moderate- and high-intensity exercise on the endothelial ultrastructure and function in mesenteric arteries from hypertensive rats

Abstract Oxidative stress (OS) influences vascular function and structure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). It is also responsible for the decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability that influences endothelial vasodilation. The effects of high-intensity exercise on endothelial function and ultrastructure in hypertension remain unknown. Thus, this study investigated the effects of moderate- and high-intensity exercise on hypertension-associated endothelial dysfunction and ultrastructural remodeling. Moderate-intensity (SHR-M) and high-intensity (SHR H) aerobic exercise training groups were compared in age-matched sedentary SHRs (SHR C) and normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY-C). The results showed that the endothelial ultrastructure was impaired in the SHR-H and SHR-C groups. Glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly increased in the SHR-M group compared to the SHR-C group. MDA content was higher in the SHR-H group than in the SHR-C group, but the levels of antioxidant enzymes did not increase accordingly. Apocynin scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) ameliorated endothelium-dependent vasodilator function in the SHR-H group. However, the SHR-M and WKY-C groups abolished the increased vasodilation induced by apocynin. L-NAME, a NO synthase inhibitor, was applied to isolated mesenteric arteries (MAs) to evaluate NO contribution. Moderate-intensity exercise reversed the decreased NO contribution to MAs in hypertension, and high-intensity exercise aggravated this change. These data suggest that moderate-intensity exercise ameliorated adverse remodeling of the endothelial ultrastructure and function in hypertension by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing NO contribution. However, high-intensity exercise exacerbated all of these changes by increasing OS and ROS contribution, and decreasing NO contribution.