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Walking promotes metabolic and baroreflex sensitivity improvement in fructose-fed male rats

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate metabolic and cardiovascular responses to walking in fructose-fed rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into control (C), sedentary fructose (SF) and walking fructose (WF). Fructose-fed rats received d-fructose (100 g/l). WF rats walked on a treadmill at constant load (0.3 km/h) during 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Measurements of triglyceride concentrations, adipose tissue and glycemia were carried out together with insulin tolerance test to evaluate metabolic profile. Arterial pressure (AP) signals were directly recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity (BR) was evaluated by the reflex tachycardia (TR) and bradycardia (BR) to AP changes. The results showed that walking decreased the adipose tissue (SF: 6.5 ± 0.4; WF: 2.8 ± 0.1; C: 3.0 ± 0.3 g), blood triglyceride levels (SF: 291 ± 6.5; WF: 150 ± 8.1; C: 103 ± 4.5 mg/dl) and increased insulin sensitivity (SF: 2.5 ± 0.2; WF: 3.3 ± 0.32; C: 4.8 ± 0.4 %/min). Baroreflex sensitivity was improved in the WF group expressed by BR (SF: 0.75 ± 0.10; WF: 1.18 ± 0.10; C: 1.5 ± 0.14 ms/mmHg) and TR (SF: 0.80 ± 0.12; WF: 1.21 ± 0.10; C: 1.35 ± 0.11 ms/mmHg), as well as when verified by the alpha index. Although the WF group showed decreased AP when compared with the SF group, the values still enhanced in relation to C rats (SF: 137 ± 2; WF: 129 ± 1; C: 115 ± 6 mmHg). Our findings allow a better understanding of the effects of walking, a low-intensity exercise training, on the hemodynamic and metabolic aspects of male rats with metabolic syndrome and indicate that walking seems to be particularly effective in treating metabolic disturbances in this model.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP 08/51525-8, 07/57595-5) and Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq 482520/2009-4, 306011/2010-7). MCI and kDa are recipients of CNPq-BPQ fellowships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hypertension Unit, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, Medical School, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, São Paulo, 05403-900, Brazil

    Jacqueline F. Machi, Cristiano Mostarda, Ivana Cinthya Moraes-Silva & Maria Cláudia Irigoyen

  2. Translational Physiology Laboratory, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil

    Nathália Bernardes & Kátia De Angelis

  3. Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, Sergipe, Brazil

    Rogério B. Wichi

Authors
  1. Jacqueline F. Machi
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  2. Nathália Bernardes
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  3. Cristiano Mostarda
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  4. Ivana Cinthya Moraes-Silva
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  5. Maria Cláudia Irigoyen
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  6. Kátia De Angelis
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  7. Rogério B. Wichi
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Correspondence to Maria Cláudia Irigoyen.

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Communicated by Massimo Pagani.

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Machi, J.F., Bernardes, N., Mostarda, C. et al. Walking promotes metabolic and baroreflex sensitivity improvement in fructose-fed male rats. Eur J Appl Physiol 113, 41–49 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2411-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2411-z

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