We hypothesize that exercise training (EX) reverses the level of nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress into rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of renovascular hypertensive rats (two kidneys, one clip - 2K1C). Microinjections of L-arginine (5 nmol), L-NAME (10 nmol), or saline (100 nl) were made into RVLM of 2K1C and normotensive (SHAM) rats sedentary (SED) or subjected to swimming for 4 weeks. mRNA expression (by qRT-PCR) of nitric oxide synthases isoforms (nNOS, eNOS, and iNOS), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper and zinc superoxide (Cu/ZnSOD), catalase (CAT), NADPH oxidase subunit p22(phox), concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and CAT activity into RVLM were evaluated. The mean arterial pressure was reduced in 2K1C EX compared with that in 2K1C SED rats. L-arginine into RVLM induced hypertensive effect in 2K1C and SHAM SED rats, while L-NAME prevented hypertensive effect only in SHAM-SED. EX reduced hypertensive effect of L-arginine in SHAM and 2K1C rats. mRNA expression of NOS isoforms, p22(phox), and concentration of TBARS were increased while CAT and Cu/ZnSOD expression and CAT activity decreased into RVLM of 2K1C-SED compared with SHAM-SED rats. Additionally, EX reversed mRNA expression of CAT and NOS isoforms, concentration of TBARS, and CAT activity into RVLM of 2K1C-EX rats. These data suggest that the levels of NOS and oxidative stress into RVLM are important to determine the level of hypertension. Furthermore, EX can restore the blood pressure by reversing the levels of NOS and CAT expression, and reducing TBARS concentration into RVLM for the physiological state.
Keywords: exercise training; hypertension; nitric oxide; oxidative stress; renovascular; rostral ventrolateral medulla.