The effect of endurance training along with L-arginine supplementation on the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in postmenopausal hypertensive women

Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) including MMP2 and MMP9 play an important role in hypertension pathogenesis. The aim of present study was to identify the effect of endurance training along with L-arginine supplementation on the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in postmenopausal hypertensive women. Materials and methods: The 40 postmenopausal hypertensive women’s (average age of 55.26 ± 2.56 years and BMI 28.61±1.18 kg/m2) randomly divided in four groups including placebo, L-arginine, endurance training and endurance training + L-arginine groups. Exercise training program conducted for 12 weeks with 60-75 percent of maximum heart rate. L-arginine consumption considered 6 g daily. Blood sampling performed in pre and posttest (48 hours after last training session or L-arginine consumption) stages and MMP2 and MMP9 were measured by ELISA method. Results: Present study findings indicated that L-arginine, training and training + L-arginine result in significant decrease of MMP-2, MMP-9 and systolic blood pressure (P<0.05). Moreover, the greatest reduction in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels and systolic blood pressure were observed in training + Larginine group. Conclusion: It seems that, L-arginine supplementation increases the antihypertensive effect of endurance training that partly related to decrease in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels.