Abstract 511: Influence Of Aerobic Exercise Training On Steroid Hormones And Cardiovascular Biomarkers In Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Evidences have shown that postmenopausal women are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications as compared with premenopausal, but the insight mechanisms are not fully understood. On the other hand, no studies have examined the interaction between endocrine and cardiovascular biomarkers in trained postmenopausal women. The aim of this study is to evaluate steroids hormones and cardiovascular biomarkers in trained hypertensive (HT) postmenopausal women at basal condition or submitted to acute challenges of L-arginine, placebo or a bout of exercise. Methods: Twenty-two women underwent to ET on treadmill, 3 days/week, 40 min, for 24 sessions, at moderate intensity. Volunteers were randomized into three groups, where an acute administration of L-arginine (9g) was given (ARG group), a challenge of a bout of aerobic exercise (30 min) was applied with placebo pills (EXE group) or the combination of the both challenges (ARG-EXE group). The challenges were applied before and after ET. Office blood pressure (BP) and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were evaluated. Biochemical analyses measuring nitrite/nitrate (NOx), cGMP, total testosterone, cortisol levels and redox state were examined during the challenges and after overnight fasting, before and after ET. Effect of ET: Reduction in body mass index was found after ET whereas no changes were observed in the officce BD or ABPM. Similarly, testoterone, cortisol, NOx- and MDA levels as well as in catalase activity wre not altered. An increase in the cGMP concentration (basal: 5.0 ± 0.4 and ET: 6.3 ± 0.7 pmol/mL) and SOD activity (basal: 15.6 ± 2 and ET: 28.1 ± 1.6 u/mL) were observed after ET. Effect of challenges: Reduction in SBP (-14 mmHg) and DBP (-12 mmHg) values were observed in ARG-EXE group in office measurements. In both challenge groups (EXE and ARG-EXE), a significant increase in NOx- levels (EXE: 57% and ARG-EXE: 65%) as well as cGMP concentration (EXE: 19% and ARG-EXE: 37%) were found. Cortisol levels were significantly reduced in EXE (-21%) and ARG-EXE (-24%) groups. Conclusion: A reduction in BP that was accompanied by increased activation of the NO/cGMP pathway and a decrease in cortisol levels in trained HT women.