Resistance exercise training increase activation of AKT-eNOS and Ref-1 expression by FOXO-1 activation in aorta of F344 rats

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of resistance exercise on the Akt-eNOS, the activation of antioxidant protein and FOXO1 in the aorta of F344 rats. METHODS: Male 7 week-old F344 rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a climbing group (n = 6) and a sedentary group (n = 6). H&E staining and western blotting were used to analyze the rat aortas and target proteins. RESULTS: Resistance exercise training did not significantly affect aortic structure. Phosphorylation of AKT and eNOS and expression of MnSOD and Ref-1 were significantly increased while FOXO1 phosphorylation was significantly decreased in the resistance exercise group compared with the sedentary group. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that resistance exercise activates the Akt-eNOS and Ref-1 protein without changes to aortic thickness via FOXO-1 activation in the aorta of F344 rats.