ABSTRACT
Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to improve endothelial function and reduce oxidative stress in hypertensive patients. However, the information regarding the amount of exercise that is needed to produce this adaptation is scarce. Thirteen women [35 to 60 years of age] with elevated systolic blood pressure [SBP] were recruited. Six women underwent four weeks aerobic exercise [EG] three times per week at 50% heart rate reserve [HRR] for 30 minutes per session, which was then increased to 70% HRR for 45 minutes per session for another four weeks. Seven women served as control group [CG]. Flow mediated dilation [FMD] and plasma von Willebrand Factor [vWF] were measured of oxidative DNA damage. Baseline measurements were repeated at four and eight weeks. ANOVA repeated measures via SPSS version 15 was used for data analysis and the level of P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. At baseline, there were insignificant differences in all parameters between the groups: age [EG=48.17 +/- 6.21 vs. CG= 50.00 +/- 8.29 years, P=0.84], resting SBP [EG=136.00 +/- 7.69 vs. GC=133.57 +/- 9.81 mmHg, P=0.73], FMD [EG=2.10 +/- 3.11 vs. CG-2.01 +/- 5.50%, P=0.73], plasma vWF [EG=51.72 +/- 28.60 vs. CG= 49.68 +/- 30.48%, P=0.84] and urine 8- OHdG [EG=6.58 +/- 2.26 vs. CG= 7.85 +/- 2.50 ng/mg creatinine, P=0.34]. After intervention, significant reduction was found for plasma vWF [EG=41.12 +/- 22.65 vs. CG=56.70 +/- 22.35%, P<0.05] and urine 8-OHdG [EG=4.33 +/- 0.79 vs. CG=7.02 +/- 1.73 ng/mg creatinine, P< 0.05]. Two months aerobic training using the prescribed exercise regime increased endothelial function and reduced oxidative DNA damage in women with elevated SBP