title: Exercise improves endothelial function: a local analysis of production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species.
abstract: This study aimed at investigating the acute effects of aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasomotor function of rat aorta, as well as mechanisms involved in endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity. Wistar rats were assigned to either a resting control (C, n = 21) or acutely exercised (E, n = 21) groups (60 min, 55-60% of maximum speed). After exercise, thoracic aorta was excised and cut into rings. Two rings were promptly applied to evaluate vasomotor function and the rest of aorta was used for additional measurements. Acute exercise significantly improved maximum ACh-induced relaxation (C, 91.6 ± 1.2 vs. E, 102.4 ± 1.7%, p < 0.001) and sensitivity to ACh (C, -7.3 ± 0.06 vs. E, -7.3 ± 0.02 log M, p < 0.01), and was accompanied by significantly increases on serine1177 eNOS phosphorylation, reflecting its enhanced activation. However, acute exercise also enhanced both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production, as assayed by dihydroethidium oxidation, lucigenin chemiluminescence and Amplex Red assays. We also provided evidence for Nox2 NADPH oxidase (Nox) activation through gp91dstat-mediated inhibition of superoxide signals. Enhanced arterial relaxations associated with acute exercise were nearly-completely prevented by catalase, suggesting a role for paracrine hydrogen peroxide. Despite increased detectable oxidant generation, cellular oxidative stress was not evident, as suggested by unaltered GSH:GSSG ratio and lipid hydroperoxides. Collectively, these results demonstrate that one bout of moderate aerobic exercise improves endothelial function by increasing NO bioavailability, while superoxide and hydrogen peroxide are generated in a controlled fashion.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: leonardotanaka@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Leonardo Yuji
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Roberto Grassmann
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bechara
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana Marques
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Paixão
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Jordão
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luís Gustavo Oliveira
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bartholomeu
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Laura Inês
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco Rafael Martins
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Laurindo
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Rizzo
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ramires
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000109:Acetylcholine
keywords: Nitric oxide; Physical exercise; Reactive oxygen species; Vasodilation