ECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN26
INTRODUCTION: Menopausal transition is characterised by a marked reduction in ovarian hormones and a concomitant decline in cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular function. Exercise is a commonly used non-pharmacological strategy leveraged to improve vascular function. Indeed, studies have shown that in young healthy adults, acute aerobic exercise can acutely improve peripheral vascular function as measured by brachial artery flow mediated dilation (BA-FMD). Emerging evidence supports a dose-response relationship such that greater exposure to shear stress (ie. higher exercise intensity), elicits a greater the improvements in BA-FMD. Until recently there was no way to confirm if this mechanism existed within the cerebrovascular system. Methodological advancements now allow researchers to directly investigate shear-mediated vasodilation of the internal carotid artery (ICA-FMD) a major conduit artery supplying the brain, using a transient carbon dioxide (CO₂) stimulus. To date, only one study has utilized this technique to demonstrate that following an acute bout of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, shear-mediated ICA-FMD was significantly augmented in young healthy adults. Despite evidence suggesting exercise induced shear can augment both ICA-FMD and FMD, in healthy young adults, it remains unknown if this mechanism is preserved during early-postmenopause in a hypoestrogenic environment. Study Objective: This study aims to explore 1) If an acute bout of exercise can augment cerebrovascular endothelial function as measured by ICA-FMD in early postmenopausal women, and 2) Whether this response is influenced by exercise intensity. METHODS: Sixteen healthy early postmenopausal women (12 months to 2 years since their last menstrual cycle) will be recruited to participate in a randomized cross-over study. Participants will first be screened for eligibility before undergoing a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to assess oxygen consumption and set exercise intensity targets. Once completed participants will randomly complete a high intensity interval (8 x ~1 min intervals at 80% peak GXT power) and a moderate intensity interval (4 x ~4 min intervals at 80% of the first ventilatory threshold) exercise session. These exercise bouts will also be work-matched to isolate any independent effect of exercise intensity. During each study visit pre-exercise ICA-FMD and BA-FMD response will be measured followed by a post-exercise measure 40 minutes following the exercise. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: This study aims to advance both the utility of ICA-FMD assessments and address the paucity of literature investigating both the acute effects of exercise and the effect of exercise intensity on vascular function during menopause. We hope these findings will provide mechanistic insight into vascular adaptability during menopause and inform clinicians how to best leverage exercise as a therapeutic intervention during menopause and beyond.
Read CV Conan ShingECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN26
INTRODUCTION: G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest superfamily of integral membrane proteins and are key contributors to physiological responses to stress, exertion, and immunity. While autoantibodies (AABs) against GPCRs are well described in pathological conditions, especially increasing with age, they are also detectable in healthy individuals and athletes without autoimmune diseases. However, their regulatory function in endurance-trained (ET) populations remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated whether ET status, age, and their interaction are associated with differences in circulating GPCR-AAB levels, with particular emphasis on sex-related patterns. METHODS: Serum samples from 59 healthy, non-smoking participants (28 female) were collected alongside anthropometric data and cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer. Participants were assigned to four groups based on ET status and age: trained young (TY), trained old (TO), untrained young (UY), and untrained old (UO). Trained (T) did at least 7 hours of ET per week, while untrained (U) did up to 2 hours. Young participants were between 18-30 years and old between 55-70 years. GPCR-AAB levels (AABs against Angiotensin II receptor 1, Endothelin-1 receptor type A, Alpha- and Beta-Adrenergic receptors 1/2, Muscarinic Acetylcholine receptor M3, and CXC Motif Chemokine receptor 3) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney-U-, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman tests. Total AAB counts were analyzed after z-transformation. RESULTS: Across all AABs, a trend towards higher levels in T compared to U groups appeared (p=0.067). A sex-dependent effect was found with higher AAB levels in males (p=0.0003), while no age-dependent effect was observed (p=0.147). In more detail, TY displayed higher levels than UY (p=0.016), and UO likewise exceeded UY (p=0.037). Notably, higher levels in men and reduced inter-individual variance in women were particularly observed within the ET group, as well as across both age groups (p≤0.024). Analyzing individual AABs, a significant higher level of CXCR3-AABs was found in men (p=0.05). Additionally, inside the trained group, 6 out of 7 AABs targeting receptors involved in autonomic cardiovascular regulation were higher in males compared to females (p≤0.039). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate distinct training- and sex-related patterns in GPCR-AABs, with consistently higher levels in ET men. This raises the question of whether ET is associated with reduced autoreactivity in females. Additionally, CXCR3-AABs showed a significant difference between sexes, potentially reflecting anti-inflammatory effects due to female hormonal status. These findings indicate that GPCR-AABs should be interpreted within a multifactorial framework integrating sex, age, training status, and physiological condition rather than as isolated biomarkers. This study should be expanded to larger cohorts and in-depth immunological analysis.
Read CV Johanna Maria MoorenECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN26