Resistance exercise training and blueberry extract protect against cardiac and skeletal muscle remodeling and metabolism disruptions in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to heart failure, with limited treatment options to prevent adverse remodeling and metabolic dysfunctions. Exercise and bioactive compounds like blueberry extract show potential, but their combined effects are unclear. We tested if combining resistance exercise training (RT) and blueberry extract could protect against cardiac and skeletal muscle remodeling and metabolic disruptions in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH.

Methods

Male rats received MCT (60 mg/kg), blueberry extract (100 mg/kg/day), and RT (ladder climbing; 15 climbs at 55-65% max load, 5 times/week). Exercise tolerance, blood lactate levels, and echocardiography were assessed. After euthanasia, heart and biceps brachii were analyzed. RT and blueberry attenuat

SUBMITTER: Soares LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12682402 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature