The impact of aerobic fitness on arterial stiffness and adrenal cortex hormones in middle-aged and older adults

[摘要] An increase in arterial stiffness with advance aging is a risk for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular dysfunction is associated with the imbalance of adrenal cortex hormones, especially with the cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) ratio. However, the impact of aerobic fitness on arterial stiffness and cortisol/DHEAs ratio is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between aerobic fitness, arterial stiffness, and cortisol/DHEAs ratio. A total of 198 middle-aged and older adults (aged 50–79 years old) participated in this study. The aerobic fitness evaluated by peak oxygen consumption (VO 2peak ), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) as an indicator of arterial stiffness, and serum cortisol and DHEAs and their ratio were measured. The subjects were divided into the lower ( n = 100) and the higher ( n = 98) aerobic fitness groups based on the median value of VO 2peak . There were no significant differences in serum cortisol and DHEAs concentration alone between the lower and higher fitness groups. However, the cortisol/DEHAs ratio and cfPWV in the higher fitness group was smaller than in the lower fitness group ( p < 0.05). The cortisol/DHEAs ratio was significantly correlated with cfPWV ( r = 0.159, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the cortisol/DHEAs ratio is associated with aerobic fitness and arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults.

[学科分类] 内分泌与代谢学

[关键词] Aerobic capacity;Arterial stiffness;Steroid;Aging