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Regular aerobic exercise protects against impaired fasting plasma glucose-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Regular aerobic exercise protects against impaired fasting plasma glucose-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging

Allison E. DeVan, Iratxe Eskurza, Gary L. Pierce, Ashley E. Walker, Kristen L. Jablonski, Rachelle E. Kaplon and Douglas R. Seals
Clinical science (1979), Vol.124(5-6), pp.325-331
03/01/2013
DOI: 10.1042/CS20120291
PMCID: PMC3509933
PMID: 23025811

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Abstract

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that age-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction is exacerbated by IFG (impaired fasting plasma glucose) and that regular aerobic exercise prevents this effect. Data were analysed from a cohort of 131 non-smoking men and women without overt clinical disease. Compared with young adult controls (age = 24 +/- 1 years, n = 29; values are means +/- S.E.M.), brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated dilation), a measure of conduit artery EDD (endothelium-dependent dilation), was 33% lower [7.93 +/- 0.33 against 5.27 +/- 0.37%Delta (% change), P < 0.05] in MA/O (middle-aged/older) adults with NFG (normal fasting plasma glucose) (<= 99 mg/dl, 62 +/- 1 years, n = 35). In MA/O adults with IFG (100-125 mg/dl, 64 +/- 1 years, n = 28), FMD was 30% lower (3.37 +/- 0.35%Delta) than in their peers with NFG and 58% lower than young controls (P < 0.05). Brachial artery FMD was greater (6.38 +/- 0.35%Delta) in MA/O adults with NFG who regularly performed aerobic exercise (>45 min/day for >= 5 days/week, 62 +/- 1 years, n = 23) compared with their non-exercising peers and only slightly less than young controls (P < 0.05). Most importantly, FMD was completely preserved in MA/O adults with IFG who regularly performed aerobic exercise (6.99 +/- 0.69%Delta, 65 +/- 1 years, n = 16). In the pooled sample, fasting plasma glucose was inversely related to FMD (r = -0.42, P < 0.01) and was the strongest independent predictor of FMD (R-2=0.32). Group differences in FMD were not affected by other subject characteristics or brachial artery properties, including brachial artery dilation to sublingual NTG (nitroglycerine, i.e. endothelium-independent dilation). IFG exacerbates age-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction and this adverse effect is completely prevented in MA/O adults who regularly perform aerobic exercise.
Life Sciences & Biomedicine Medicine, Research & Experimental Research & Experimental Medicine Science & Technology

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