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Exercise training increases baroreceptor gain sensitivity in normal and hypertensive rats
P C Brum1, G J Da Silva, E D Moreira
1Unit of Hypertension, Unit of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|January 11, 2000
Summary
Exercise training enhances baroreflex sensitivity in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. This improvement stems from increased sensitivity in the aortic baroreceptor
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Exercise training is known to lower blood pressure and improve baroreflex sensitivity.
- The specific component of the baroreflex pathway affected by exercise remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if exercise training enhances the afferent pathway sensitivity of baroreflex control.
- To compare these effects in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
Main Methods:
- Evaluated arterial pressure and aortic baroreceptor nerve activity in sedentary and exercise-trained normotensive rats and SHR.
- Utilized a treadmill protocol for exercise training.
- Analyzed the relationship between baroreceptor discharge and systolic arterial pressure changes.
Main Results:
- Exercise training reduced mean arterial pressure in trained SHR.
- A significant increase in the relationship between aortic baroreceptor discharge and systolic arterial pressure was observed in trained normotensive rats and SHR.
- Aortic baroreceptor gain sensitivity was significantly higher in exercise-trained rats of both groups compared to sedentary controls.
Conclusions:
- Exercise training improves aortic baroreceptor gain sensitivity in both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.
- This enhanced sensitivity contributes to more effective arterial pressure regulation via the baroreflex.