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Resistance training improves age‐associated endothelial dysfunction in rat femoral arteries independent of eNOS expression and phosphorylation
Author(s) -
Kristen Slack N,
Prestosa David T.,
Hryvniak David J.,
Harris M. Brennan
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a572-d
Subject(s) - enos , medicine , endothelial dysfunction , endocrinology , myograph , endothelium , cardiology , nitric oxide , nitric oxide synthase
Resistance training counteracts losses of muscular strength with age and subsequent loss in quality of life. Although endurance exercise improves age‐associated endothelial dysfunction, few studies have examined the effects of resistance training. Young (9 mo) and aged (20 mo) male, Fisher 344 rats were divided into four groups: Young Sedentary (YS, n=14), Young Trained (YT, n=10), Aged Sedentary (AS, n=12), and Aged Trained (AT, n=10). Resistance training consisted of climbing a 1 m wire ladder, at an 85° angle, 5d/wk for 6 weeks with increasing weight added to the tail. Endothelial function in femoral arteries was determined by constructing acetylcholine dose response curves on a wire myograph. Femoral artery phospho‐Ser1179‐eNOS, eNOS and Hsp90 expression were evaluated by Western blot. Acetylcholine‐induced vasorelaxation was significantly ( P <0.05) impaired in AS compared to YS and YT but not AT compared YS and YT. Phospho‐Ser1179‐eNOS and eNOS were elevated ( P <0.05) in aged animals but not changed with resistance training. Resistance training increased Hsp90 levels in both young and old animals. Therefore, resistance training improves age‐associated endothelial dysfunction in femoral arteries without changes in eNOS phosphorylation and expression. Increased Hsp90 expression, a regulator of eNOS activity and coupling, suggests a potential mechanism for this improvement.