Plasma nitrate/nitrite levels are unchanged after long-term aerobic exercise training in older adults.
Reduced nitric oxide (NO) production and bioactivity is a major contributor to endothelial dysfunction. Animal data suggest that improvements in endothelial function in response to aerobic exercise training may depend on the duration of the training program. However, no studies have examined changes in NO (as assessed by the major NO metabolites, nitrate and nitrite, NO(x)) after long-term training in humans. In addition, aging may impair the ability of the vasculature to increase NO with exercise. Thus, we determined whether 24 weeks of aerobic exercise training increases plasma NO(x) levels in sedentary older adults. We also examined changes in forearm blood flow (FBF) at rest and during reactive hyperemia as a measure of vasomotor function. Plasma NO(x) levels were measured in 82 men and women using a modified Griess assay. FBF was assessed in a subset of individuals (n = 15) using venous occlusion plethysmography. After 24 weeks of exercise training, there were significant improvements in maximum oxygen consumption, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and body fat. Changes in plasma NO(x) levels ranged from -14.83 to +16.69 micromol/L; however, the mean change overall was not significant (-0.33 + or - 6.30 micromol/L, p = 0.64). Changes in plasma NO(x) levels were not associated with age, gender, race, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, body weight, body fat, or maximal oxygen consumption. There were also no significant changes in basal FBF, peak FBF, hyperemic response, total hyperemic flow, or minimum forearm vascular resistance with exercise training. In conclusion, improvements in plasma NO(x) levels and FBF are not evident after long-term training in older adults.
Brinkley
Tina E
TE
Sticht Center on Aging, Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. tbrinkle@wfubmc.edu
Fenty-Stewart
Nicola M
NM
Park
Joon-Young
JY
Brown
Michael D
MD
Hagberg
James M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood*; D010991:Plethysmography; D013997:Time Factors
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide