Exercise training and endothelial dysfunction

Abstract

Recent epidemiological studies have shown that lifestyle modification such as aerobic exercise reduces the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population. But still poorly understood mechanisms underlying the antiatherogenic and anti-hypertensive effects of physical training. Hypertension is associated with impaired endothelial function, which is mediated by a decrease in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). In animals with simulated hypertension and in people with essential hypertension exercise had been shown to improve endothelial function. This suggests that hypertension, as well as endothelial dysfunction is reversible. It is assumed that changes in lifestyle, including physical exercise, prevent cardiovascular complications by improving endothelial function in patients with hypertension. It is believed that exercise increase the synthesis of NO and reduce levels of inactivation, which results in increased bioavailability of NO. This review presents the potential mechanisms that underlie the positive effect of training on endothelial function in patients with hypertension.

Keywords

• physical training
• endothelial function
• nitric oxide
• oxidative stress
• hypertension