Moderate-intensity exercise allows enhanced protection against oxidative stress-induced cardiac dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The progression of myocardial injury secondary to hypertension is a complex process related to a series of physiological and molecular factors including oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate whether moderate-intensity exercise (MIE) could improve cardiac function and oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Eight-week-old male SHRs and age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto rats were randomly assigned to exercise training (treadmill running at a speed of 20 m/min for 1 h continuously) or kept sedentary for 16 weeks. Cardiac function was monitored by polygraph; cardiac mitochondrial structure was observed by scanning electron microscope; tissue free radical production was measured using dihydroethidium staining. Expression levels of SIRT3 and SOD2 protein were measured by western blot, and cardiac antioxidants were assessed by assay kits. MIE improved the cardiac function of SHRs by decreasing left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and first derivation of LVP (+LVdP/dt(max) and −LVdP/dt(max)). In addition, exercise-induced beneficial effects in SHRs were mediated by decreasing damage to myocardial mitochondrial morphology, decreasing production of reactive oxygen species, increasing glutathione level, decreasing oxidized glutathione level, increasing expression of SIRT3/SOD2, and increasing activity of superoxide dismutase. Exercise training in SHRs improved cardiac function by inhibiting hypertension-induced myocardial mitochondrial damage and attenuating oxidative stresses, offering new insights into prevention and treatment of hypertension.