Sex‐related beneficial effects of exercise on cardiac function and rhythm in autistic rats

Abstract

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are prevalent in autistic patients. As exercise is useful in the treatment of medical conditions, this study aimed to identify the effect of low‐intensity endurance exercise (LIEE) and moderate‐intensity endurance exercise (MIEE) on cardiovascular events in autistic rats.MethodsValproic acid (VPA) was administrated once on gestational day 12.5 to pregnant rats to produce autism‐like symptoms in offspring. Thirty‐day‐old offspring were divided into 12 groups: Male‐CTL, Male‐VPA, Male‐CTL + LIEE, Male‐CTL + MIEE, Male‐VPA + LIEE, Male‐VPA + MIEE, Female‐CTL, Female‐VPA, Female‐CTL + LIEE, Female‐CTL + MIEE, Female‐VPA + LIEE, and Female‐VPA + MIEE. LIEE and MIEE were performed 5 days a week for 30 days. Twenty‐four hours after the last exercise session, electrocardiogram and hemodynamic and cardiac function indices were recorded.ResultsThe results indicated that +dp/dt max and contractility index (CI) decreased in the Female‐VPA group compared to the Female‐CTL group. LIEE increased these parameters in the Female‐VPA + LIEE group. However, MIEE normalized CI in the Male‐VPA + MIEE compared to the Male‐VPA group. Tau increased in the Female‐VPA group compared to the Female‐CTL group and it decreased in the Female‐VPA + MIEE group compared to the Female‐VPA group. LIEE and MIEE recovered the reduction of heart rate and the increase in P, R, and T amplitudes in Male‐VPA group. LIEE and MIEE increased heart rate variability in the Male‐VPA and Female‐VPA groups.ConclusionsThe findings showed that LIEE and MIEE alleviated cardiac dysfunction and disturbances in heart rhythm in the autistic offspring. Exercise may be recommended as a routine program for autistic patients to prevent and treat the harmful cardiovascular consequences of autism.

ATP releasing channels and the ameliorative effects of high intensity interval training on diabetic heart: a multifaceted analysis

“…A cannula was inserted into the left carotid artery to record blood pressure and the other cannula was inserted into the left ventricle via the right carotid artery. This allowed precise recording of ventricular pressure via a pressure transducer and the PowerLab system 41 . The animals’ trachea was cannulated so that they could be connected to a ventilator if necessary.…”