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Exercise and caloric restriction improve cardiovascular and erectile function in rats with metabolic syndrome

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 33, pages 844–853 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the possible benefits of exercise and caloric restriction (CR) on cardiovascular hemodynamics, erectile function, and antioxidant system in metabolic syndrome (MS). Sixty male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into five groups; control, MS, MS + CR, MS + exercise (EXC), and MS + CR + EXC. To induce MS, 10% fructose solution was applied for 3 months. Thereafter, in CR groups calorie was restricted 40% and in EXC groups swimming was performed for 6 weeks. Body weight, blood glucose, and blood pressure (BP) levels were measured before and after MS induction and at the end of the experiment. After decapitation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, adiponectin (ADP), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 levels were investigated in blood, oxidative stress parameters were examined in heart, aorta, and corpus cavernosum (CC) tissues. Isometric contraction in isolated tissue bath was studied in aorta and CC tissues. Animals subjected to exercise and CR had decreased BP and blood glucose levels. Impaired contraction–relaxation responses in MS group were improved with exercise and CR. MS-induced increase in TNF-α, PAI-1, malondialdehyde (MDA), and decrease in ADP, glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were normalized with exercise and CR. Exercise and CR may be beneficial against changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics caused by MS.

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Fig. 1: Body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose levels at different time points.
Fig. 2: Concentration-response curves of all groups.
Fig. 3: Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, adiponectin (ADP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 levels.
Fig. 4: Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the heart, aorta, and corpus cavernosum tissues.
Fig. 5: Glutathione (GSH) levels in the heart, aorta, and corpus cavernosum tissues.
Fig. 6: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the heart, aorta, and corpus cavernosum tissues.

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Funding

This study was supported by Marmara University Scientific Research Projects Committee with the grant number: SAG-C-YLP-090113-0002.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey

    Zatiye Ayça Çevikelli-Yakut, Reyhan Özçelik & Göksel Şener

  2. Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey

    Zatiye Ayça Çevikelli-Yakut

  3. Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey

    Özge Çevik

  4. Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey

    Tarık Emre Şener

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  1. Zatiye Ayça Çevikelli-Yakut
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Correspondence to Göksel Şener.

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Çevikelli-Yakut, Z.A., Özçelik, R., Çevik, Ö. et al. Exercise and caloric restriction improve cardiovascular and erectile function in rats with metabolic syndrome. Int J Impot Res 33, 844–853 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-00356-w

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