Aerobic exercise training decreases plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations with increase in arterial compliance in postmenopausal women

Background:Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, increase with advancing age and menopausal status. ADMA plays a role in endothelial dysfunction and increasing arterial stiffness. Regular aerobic exercise has a positive effect on arterial function (i.e., arterial compliance). This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise training on plasma ADMA concentrations and arterial compliance in postmenopausal women.Methods:Thirty postmenopausal women were divided into 2 groups: an exercise group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 10). Subjects in the exercise group completed 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training (65%-80% of maximal heart rate, 40-60min/day, 3-6 days/week). Before and after each intervention, plasma ADMA concentrations and carotid arterial compliance were measured in all participants.Results:The baseline plasma ADMA concentrations, carotid arterial compliance, and most other key dependent variables did not differ between the 2 groups. In the exercise group, carotid arterial compliance significantly increased after exercise intervention (P < 0.01), and plasma ADMA concentrations significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, changes in carotid arterial compliance after the exercise intervention were inversely correlated with changes in plasma ADMA concentrations (r =-0.367; P < 0.05).Conclusions:We demonstrated that aerobic exercise training significantly decreased plasma ADMA concentrations with increase in carotid arterial compliance in postmenopausal women. These Results: suggest that reduction in ADMA may play an important role in the aerobic exercise training-induced increase in arterial compliance.