Effects of isometric resistance training and detraining on ambulatory blood pressure and morning blood pressure surge in young normotensives.

Isometric resistance training (IRT) has been shown to reduce resting and ambulatory blood pressure (BP), as well as BP variability and morning BP surge (MBPS). However, there are no data available regarding how long after cessation of IRT these effects are maintained. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8 weeks of detraining on resting BP, ambulatory BP and MBPS following 8 weeks of IRT in a population of young normotensive individuals and to further substantiate previously reported reductions in MBPS following IRT. Twenty-five apparently healthy participants with resting BP within the normal range (16 men, age = 23 ± 6 years; 9 women, age = 22 ± 4 years, resting BP: 123 ± 5/69 ± 7 mmHg) were randomly assigned to a training-detraining (TRA-DT, n = 13) or control (CON, n = 12) group. Resting BP, ambulatory BP and MBPS were measured prior to, after 8 weeks of bilateral leg IRT using an isokinetic dynamometer (4 × 2-min contractions at 20% MVC with 2-min rest periods, 3 days/week) and following an 8-week detraining period. There were significant reductions in 24-h ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) and calculated SBP average real variability (ARV) following IRT that were maintained after detraining (pre-to-post detraining, -6 ± 4 mmHg, p = 0.008, -2 ± 1.5 mmHg, p = 0.001). Similarly, the training-induced decreases in daytime SBP and daytime SBP ARV (pre-to-post detraining, -5 ± 6 mmHg, p = 0.001; -2 ± 1.2 mmHg, p = 0.001, respectively), MBPS (pre-to-post detraining, -6 ± 9 mmHg, p = 0.046) and resting SBP (pre-to-post detraining, -4 ± 6 mmHg, p = 0.044) were preserved. There were no changes in night-time or night-time SBP ARV across all time points (pre-to-post detraining, -1 ± 8 mmHg, p = 1.00, -0.7 ± 2.9 mmHg, p = 1.00). These results confirm that IRT causes significant reductions in resting BP, ambulatory BP, ambulatory ARV and MBPS. Importantly, the changes remained significantly lower than baseline for 8 weeks after cessation of training, suggesting a sustained effect of IRT.

Elevated levels of circulating heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in peripheral and renal vascular disease.

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are families of phylogenetically conserved molecules that have a range of cytoprotective and intracellular functional roles. Reactivity to heat shock proteins has been implicated in the development of autoimmune disease and tissue expression of heat shock proteins and increased levels of anti-Hsp antibodies have also been reported in vascular disease. This study compared circulating levels of Hsp60 and Hsp70 and antihuman Hsp60, antihuman Hsp70, and antimycobacterial Hsp65 antibodies in peripheral (PVD) and renal (RVD) vascular disease with those in age- and sex-matched controls. Levels of Hsp70 were higher in both PVD (median 580 vs 40; P < 0.01) and RVD (median 160 vs 0; P < 0.03), whereas there were no differences in Hsp60 levels. Anti-Hsp60 antibody levels were elevated in PVD (146 vs 81 arbitrary units/ml; P < 0.04), but not RVD. This is the first study to demonstrate increased levels of circulating Hsp70 in pathological disease states; however, its physiological role remains to be determined.

Identification of human heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) and anti-Hsp60 antibodies in the peripheral circulation of normal individuals.

Although primarily regarded as being intracellular, this study has identified the presence of heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) in the peripheral circulation of normal individuals. The median Hsp60 concentration was approximately 3.5-fold higher in females than in males and significantly higher levels of anti-human Hsp60 antibodies were also detected in females. There were no differences in the levels of antibodies to mycobacterial Hsp60 between males and females, nor did antibody levels correlate with Hsp60 concentrations. Hsp60 was not released from mitogenically stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The potential physiological roles for circulating Hsp60 are unknown. Given the emerging evidence that inappropriate reactivity to heat shock proteins is involved in autoimmune disease and that T cells responsive to self Hsp60 appear to be protective, these findings suggest that circulating Hsp60 may be involved in the regulation of tolerance to self and immunity to bacterial forms of these widely expressed and structurally conserved proteins.

Environmental justice for all: community perspectives on health and research needs.

Some individuals, groups, and communities are at special risk from environmental threats. This is especially the case for low income persons, the working class, and people of color whose health may be imperiled by lead in their houses, pollution in their neighborhoods, and hazards in their workplace. Moreover, many of their children face potential health threats in the parks where they play. The environmental justice perspective unmasks the ethical and political questions of "who gets what, why, and in what amounts." An environmental and public health strategy is needed to ensure that all Americans are protected.