Role of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Redox Homeostasis in Exercise-Induced Delayed Progression of Hypertension in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. Recently, exercise has been recommended as a part of lifestyle modification for all hypertensive patients. However, the precise mechanisms of exercise training (ExT)-induced effects on the development of hypertension are poorly understood. Therefore, we hypothesized that chronic ExT would delay the progression of hypertension in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). In addition, we explored whether the beneficial effects of chronic ExT were mediated by reduced proinflammatory cytokines and improved redox status. We also investigated the involvement of nuclear factor-kappa B in exercise-induced effects. To test our hypotheses, young normotensive (Wistar-Kyoto) and SHRs were given moderate-intensity ExT for 16 weeks. Blood pressure was determined by the tail-cuff method, and cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. Myocardial total reactive oxygen species and superoxide production were measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy; tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, gp91(phox), and inducible NO synthase by real-time PCR; and nuclear factor kappa B activity by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Chronic ExT in hypertensive rats resulted in significantly reduced blood pressure, reduced concentric hypertrophy, and improved diastolic function. ExT significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokines and inducible NO synthase, attenuated total reactive oxygen species and superoxide production, and increased antioxidants in SHRs. ExT also resulted in increased NO production and decreased nuclear factor kappa B activity in SHRs. In summary, chronic ExT delays the progression of hypertension and improves cardiac function in young SHRs; these ExT-induced beneficial effects are mediated by reduced proinflammatory cytokines and improved redox homeostasis via downregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B. (Hypertension. 2009; 54: 1393-1400.)