Prevention of age-related endothelial dysfunction by habitual aerobic exercise in healthy humans: possible role of nuclear factor κB

• DOI: 10.1042/cs20140030
• Publication Date: 2014-06-23T08:38:11Z
• Authors: Ashley E. Walker; Rachelle E. Kaplon; Gary L. Pierce; Molly J. Nowlan; Douglas R. Seals
• Keywords: Aerobic Exercise; Endothelial Dysfunction; Brachial artery

Habitual aerobic exercise prevents age-related impairments in endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD). We have hypothesized that the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear κB (NF-κB) impairs EDD with sedentary aging, and habitual this suppression of by NF-κB. To test hypothesis, we inhibited NF-κB signalling via oral salsalate administration healthy older exercise-trained adults (OT, n=14, 58 ± 2 years), non-exercising (ON, n=16, 61 1 years) young controls (YN, n=8, 23 years). Salsalate reduced endothelial cell expression p65 ~25% ON (P<0.05) but did not significantly change OT or YN (P>0.05). EDD, assessed brachial artery flow-mediated (FMD), was improved (4.0 0.7% compared 6.8 0.7%, placebo salsalate, P<0.001) (OT: 7.2 7.7 0.6%; YN: 7.6 0.9% 8.1 0.8%; P>0.05). Endothelium-independent affected any group In ON, vitamin C infusion FMD ~30% during (P<0.001) had no affect YN, either nitrotyrosine content NADPH oxidase p47phox effect Our results suggest is associated oxidative stress-related impairment aerobically exercising adults. This may be a key mechanism which regular preserves function reduces cardiovascular risk aging.