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

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. 

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.

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 + L-arginine group.

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.