Effect of aerobic training on the deposition of collagen fibers and glomerular proteoglycans in hypertensive rats

This study evaluated if aerobic training (AT) improves glomerular morphology in hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) rats. We used SHR and WKY male rats 10weeks‐age submitted or not to AT (1hr, 5 times/week) for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks or kept sedentary for 0 and 12 weeks (n=8/each). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded, and kidneys harvested for Bowmanˈs capsule (BC) evaluation. Results were compared by ANOVA, using p=0.05 as significant. Both WKY and SHR improved physical performance after 6 and 12 weeks of AT(S0:1.02±0.3 vs 1.62±0.4, T6:1.32±0.2 vs 2.09±0.3, T12:1.92±0.4 vs 2.40±0.4km/h). SHR decreased MAP and HR (179±10 vs 163±6mmHg, 394±18 vs 363±3bpm; on S0 vs T12). BC thickness showed greater deposition of collagen fibers in SHR compared to WKY (3.72±1.35 vs 1.98±0.25?m; on sedentary), and reduction after AT in SHR (1.79±0.24μm). Proteoglycan analysis showed an increased deposition induced by hypertension (1.34±0.41 vs 0.90±0.09μm; sedentary SHR vs WKY), and AT decreased this in both(SHR:1.34±0.41 vs 0.75±0.09μm, WKY:0.90±0.09 vs 0.65±0.02μm; S0 vs T12). We also observed that the time of hypertension increases deposition of proteoglycans (1.34±0.41 vs 1.64±0.48μm; S0 vs S12). The data suggest that AT induces glomerular remodeling, reducing glomerular fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis in SHR, and may be associated with the observed fall in MAP. Grant Funding Source : FAPESP