Effect of exercise training on the cardiovascular and biochemical parameters in women with eNOS gene polymorphism

Combined exercise training decreases blood pressure in OLDER women with NOS3 polymorphism providing changes in differentially methylated regions (DMRs)

The mechanisms by which the ageing process is associated to an unhealthy lifestyle and how they play an essential role in the aetiology of systemic arterial hypertension have not yet been completely elucidated. Our objective is to investigate the influence of NOS3 polymorphisms [-786T > C and (Glu298Asp)] on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response, differentially methylated regions (DMRs), and physical fitness of adult and older women after a 14-week combined training intervention. The combined training was carried out for 14 weeks, performed 3 times a week, totalling 180 minutes weekly. The genotyping experiment used Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array version 2.0 (GSA V2.0) and Illumina's EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip. The participants were separated into SNP rs2070744 in TT (59.7 ± 6.2 years) and TC + CC (60.0 ± 5.2 years), and SNP rs17999 in GluGlu (58.8 ± 5.7 years) and GluAsp + AspAsp (61.6 ± 4.9 years). We observed an effect of time for variables BP, physical capacities, and cholesterol. DMRs related to SBP and DBP were identified for the rs2070744 and rs17999 groups pre- and decreased numbers of DMRs post-training. When we analysed the effect of exercise training in pre- and post-comparisons, the GluGlu SNP (rs17999) showed 10 DMRs, and after enrichment, we identified several biological biases. The combined training improved the SBP and DBP values of the participants regardless of the SNPs. In addition, exercise training affected DNA methylation differently between the groups of NOS3 polymorphisms.

NOS3 Polymorphisms Can Influence the Effect of Multicomponent Training on Blood Pressure, Nitrite Concentration and Physical Fitness in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Older Adult Women

Associations of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) polymorphisms with hypertension and response to exercise training in prehypertensive and hypertensive older adult women remain unclear. This study used a multicomponent program (various capacities and motor skills) in the physical training intervention. It analyzed the influence of NOS3 polymorphisms [−786T > C, 894G > T (Glu298Asp), and intron 4b/a] on the response of blood pressure (BP), nitrite concentration, and physical fitness in older adult women. Fifty-two participants aged between 50 and 80 underwent body mass index, BP, 6-min walk, elbow flexion, and sit and stand-up tests to assess physical fitness. The intervention duration was 12 weeks, twice a week, on non-consecutive days. Each session lasted 90 min, maintaining an intensity between 13 (moderate) and 15 (intense), controlled by the Subjective Effort Perception Scale. Plasma/blood samples were collected to assess nitrite concentration and genotyping. The statistical analysis included Fisher’s exact test and linear mixed-effects models. The multicomponent training’s positive effect was observed with a similar response in both prehypertensive and hypertensive groups. However, carriers of different genotypes demonstrated different responses to training: the decreases in systolic and diastolic BP and increases in nitrite expected from the physical training were smaller in variant genotype than ancestral genotype carriers, especially in the hypertensive group. At positions −786T > C and Glu298Asp, only the ancestral genotypes showed a decrease in diastolic BP (Δ% = −8.1, and Δ% = −6.5, respectively) and an increase on nitrite (Δ% = 19.1, and Δ% = 24.1, respectively) in the hypertensive group. Our results show that the benefits of a multicomponent training intervention seem to be genotype-dependent. It should be possible to consider genetic variants when selecting an exercise treatment intervention.

Isoflavone Supplementation Does Not Potentiate the Effect of Combined Exercise Training on Resting and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Non-Obese Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial-A Pilot Study

Physical exercise and isoflavone supplementation are potential strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are additive effects of isoflavone supplementation when associated with combined aerobic and resistance exercise on resting and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and in blood pressure variability (BPV). Thirty-one non-obese postmenopausal women were randomly allocated into two groups: placebo and exercise (Placebo n = 19); and isoflavone supplementation (100 mg/day) and exercise (isoflavone n = 19). ABPM and BPV were evaluated before and after 10 weeks of moderate combined (aerobic and resistance) exercise training. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) with Bonferroni correction and intention-to-treat analysis was used to compare the effects of interventions on resting BP, ABPM and BPV. Combined exercise training decreased resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and reduced 24 h and awake ambulatory SBP, DBP and mean blood pressure over time, with no additional effects of isoflavone supplementation. No changes were observed in sleep period, or in BPV indexes (Standard Deviation of 24 h (SD), daytime and nighttime interval (SDdn) and average real variability (ARV) in both groups. We conclude that isoflavone supplementation does not potentiate the effects of combined training on resting and ambulatorial systolic and diastolic blood pressure in non-obese postmenopausal women.

The NOS3 G894T (rs1799983) and -786T/C (rs2070744) polymorphisms are associated with elite swimmer status

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) generates nitric oxide in blood vessels and is involved in the regulation of vascular function, metabolism and muscle fibre type transformations. Evidence suggests that the NOS3 G894T (rs1799983) and -786T/C (rs2070744) polymorphisms are associated with athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the NOS3 G894T and -786T/C polymorphisms with elite swimmer status in Polish athletes. One hundred and ninety-seven Polish swimmers (104 males and 93 females), who competed in national and international events, and 379 healthy control subjects (222 males and 157 females) were recruited for this study. The swimmers were divided into two groups: short distance swimmers (SDS; n=147; 50-200 m) and long distance swimmers (LDS; n=49; more than 500 m). As expected, the frequencies of the -786T/C T allele (77.0 vs. 63.1%, p = 0.0085) and G-T haplotype (63.7 vs. 52.0, p=0.025) were significantly higher in the LDS group in comparison with controls. Compared with the -786T/C CC genotype, the chance of being a long distance swimmer was 8.49 times higher (CI=1.14-62.78, p=0.023) for the carriers of -786T/C T allele than in control subjects. On the other hand, the Asp allele frequency was significantly higher in the female SDS group compared with controls (34.3 vs. 18.5%, p=0.00043). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the T allele and the G-T haplotype of the -786T/C and G894T polymorphisms may be beneficial for long distance swimmers.

The presence of the NOS3 gene polymorphism for intron 4 mitigates the beneficial effects of exercise training on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in adults

The number of studies that have evaluated exercise training (ET) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)3 gene polymorphisms is scarce. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between exercise training and NOS3 polymorphisms at -786T>C, 894G>T, and intron 4b/a on blood pressure (BP) using 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), nitrate/nitrite levels (NOx), and redox state. Eighty-six volunteers (51 ± 0.6 yr old) were genotyped into nonpolymorphic and polymorphic groups for each of the three positions of NOS3 polymorphisms. Auscultatory BP, ABPM, SOD activity, catalase activity, NOx levels, and malondialdehyde levels were measured. DNA was extracted from leukocytes, and PCR followed by sequencing was applied for genotype analysis. Aerobic ET consisted of 24 sessions for 3 days/wk for 40 min at moderate intensity. This study was performed in a double-blind and crossover format. ET was effective in lowering office BP (systolic BP: 3.2% and diastolic BP: 3%) as well as ABPM (systolic BP: 2% and diastolic BP: 1.3%). Increased SOD and catalase activity (42.6% and 15.1%, respectively) were also observed. The NOS3 polymorphism for intron 4 mitigated the beneficial effect of ET for systolic BP (nonpolymorphic group: -3.0% and polymorphic group: -0.6%) and diastolic BP (nonpolymorphic group: -3.2% and polymorphic group: -0.5%), but it was not associated with NOx level and redox state. Paradoxical responses were found for positions T786-C and G894T for the NOS3 gene. Consistently, the presence of the polymorphism for intron 4 blunted the beneficial effects of ET in middle-aged adults. Possibly, this effect might be as consequence of intron 4 acting as a short intronic repeat RNA controlling endothelial NOS activity epigenetically.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase g894t (rs1799983) gene polymorphism in polish athletes

The NOS3 gene has been associated with athletic endurance performance and elite power athletic status. With respect to NOS3 G894T and its relation to athletic performance or status, results across various studies have not been consistent. Therefore, the lack of consistency among previous studies prompted us to design a case-control study in a Polish Caucasian population to examine the relationship between the NOS3 G894T polymorphism and athletes' status, i.e. type and intensity of exercise performed (poweroriented, “mixed” power/endurance activity, endurance-oriented) and the possible association between the G894T variant and athletic performance. The case-control study was performed in a group of 360 Polish athletes (cases) of the highest nationally competitive standard (male n=156 and female n=67) and 191 unrelated, sedentary control subjects. The G894T genotype and allele distributions differed significantly between power-oriented (P=0.009, P=0.003), “mixed” (P=0.021, P=0.009), endurance (P=0.043, P=0.014) athletes when compared to control subjects (P values for genotypes and alleles, respectively). There were no significant differences between elite and sub-elite athletes in any group. The over-representation of the GG genotype and G allele in all athletes suggests that the G894 allele may favour all types of sports, however, the strongest predisposition was seen among power-oriented athletes.

Exercise: friend or foe?

Physical activity and exercise have been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, morbidity, and mortality, as well as all-cause mortality, both in the general population and in patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease. Increasing amounts of exercise are associated with incremental reductions in mortality, but considerable benefits have been found even with a low level of exercise. Exercise is beneficial for most individuals, but risks exist. Exercise is associated with reduced long-term morbidity and mortality, but acute exercise can transiently increase the risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular events. Although tragic, these events are very rare, and even to some extent preventable with screening programmes. Low-intensity physical activity is important and beneficial to all individuals, including those with a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events. In individuals who are physically fit and who do not have genetic predisposition to, or signs of, cardiovascular disease, the greater the intensity and amount of exercise, the greater the health benefits. Nevertheless, effective strategies to encourage exercise in the population are lacking. A sustained increase in physical activity is likely to require more than individual advice, and needs to include urban planning and possibly even legislation.