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Effect of resistance training on biomarkers of vascular function and oxidative stress in young African-American and Caucasian men

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 27, pages 388–392 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

African Americans (AA) have an earlier onset of hypertension and a different vascular profile than their Caucasian (Cau) peers. Research suggests that biological mediators of vascular inflammation are different among these groups in hypertensive populations. Resistance training (RT) is an important exercise modality that improves the vascular profile of young AA men. We examined the role of RT on biomarkers of vascular function and oxidative stress in body mass index-matched AA and Cau men. RT for 6 weeks elicited significant changes in circulating matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and 8-Isoprostane (8-IsoP) in young AA men (n=14, AA; n=18, Cau; 18–35 years). MMP-9 was lower and decreased in AA (pre: P=0.02; post: P<0.001) and a time × group interaction for MMP-9 (F1, 30=4.81; P=0.036) and 8-IsoP (F1, 24=7.09; P=0.014) was detected. 8-IsoP decreased in AA (P=0.026) but did not change in Cau (P=0.309). Notably, the increase in strength (1-repetition maximum (1-RM)) was correlated with the decrease in MMP-9 (r=−0.398; P=0.022). Furthermore, these adaptations were independent of any improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness. We demonstrate that RT effectively reduces matrix remodeling proteins and oxidative stress in young AA men. Increasing strength may be beneficial for improving vascular health and offsetting novel cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension in young AA men.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by funding awarded to Dr Kevin Heffernan from the American Heart Association and Dr Bo Fernhall from the National Institute of Health (NIH) (5R01HL093249-02).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    M D Cook, S Ranadive & J A Woods

  2. Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    K S Heffernan

  3. College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    B Fernhall

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  1. M D Cook
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  4. J A Woods
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Correspondence to B Fernhall.

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Cook, M., Heffernan, K., Ranadive, S. et al. Effect of resistance training on biomarkers of vascular function and oxidative stress in young African-American and Caucasian men. J Hum Hypertens 27, 388–392 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2012.48

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