Effects of exercise on metabolic markers and biomarkers of inflammation in hypertensive cases: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Hypertension has been hypothesized to be a part of inflammatory disorder and elevated low density lipoproteins or total cholesterol, and reduced high density lipoproteins, increase the risk of coronary events in these patients. To determine the effects of exercise [interval training program] on metabolic markers and biomarkers of inflammation in black African men with essential hypertension. A total of 245 male patients having mild to moderate essential hypertension [systolic BP between 140-179 and diastolic BP between 90-109 mmHg] were age and gender matched into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was put to exercise for 8 weeks using interval training [60-79% HR max reserve] program ranging between 45minutes to 60 minutes, while control group remained sedentary. Cardiovascular parameters [systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure] and VO[2]max, biomarkers of inflammation [C-reactive protein, white blood cell] and metabolic makers [fasting blood sugar], total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and artherogenic index] were assessed. Analysis of co-variance [ANCOVA] and Pearson correlation tests were used in data analysis. Of 254 subjects, the experimental group had 140 cases whose ages ranged from 58.9 +/- 7.3 years] while 114 were controls of similar age. There was significant effect of interval training program on VO[2] max, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, white blood cell, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and artherogenic index [p<0.05]. Changes in VO[2] max significantly correlated with all other variables [p<0.05]. Therapeutic role of interval training program in the reduction of blood pressure could be through the suppression of systemic inflammation and abnormal metabolic markers