title: Exercise training enhances endothelial function in young men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to assess whether exercise training can enhance endothelium-dependent dilatation in healthy young men.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Exercise has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but the mechanisms for this benefit are unclear. Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in atherogenesis, and animal studies have shown that exercise training can enhance endothelial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have examined the effect of a standardized, 10-week, aerobic and anaerobic exercise training program on arterial physiology in 25 healthy male military recruits, aged 17 to 24 (mean 20) years, of average fitness levels. Each subject was studied before starting, and after completing the exercise program. Baseline vascular reactivity was compared with that of 20 matched civilian controls. At each visit, the diameter of the right brachial artery was measured at rest, during reactive hyperemia (increased flow causing endothelium-dependent dilation) and after sublingual glyceryltrinitrate (GTN; an endothelium-independent dilator), using high-resolution external vascular ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and GTN-mediated dilatation were similar in the exercise and control groups (FMD 2.2+/-2.4% and 2.4+/-2.8%, respectively, p = 0.33; GTN 13.4+/-6.2 vs. 16.7+/-5.9, respectively, p = 0.53). In the military recruits, FMD improved from 2.2+/-2.4% to 3.9+/-2.5% (p = 0.01), with no change in the GTN-mediated dilation (13.4+/-6.2% vs. 13.9+/-5.8%, p = 0.31) following the exercise program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise training enhances endothelium-dependent dilation in young men of average fitness. This may contribute to the benefit of regular exercise in preventing cardiovascular disease.
authors: Cardiothoracic Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Clarkson
authors: H E
authors: HE
authors: Montgomery
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Mullen
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Donald
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Powe
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Bull
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Jubb
authors: M
authors: M
authors: World
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Deanfield
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005340:Fibrinogen; D005996:Nitroglycerin