Investigation of the effects of exercise on Sestrin 2 levels in an experimental hypertension model

Aim: Regular exercise benefits hypertension, but its mechanisms are unclear. Studies suggest increased Sestrin 2 levels with exercise may protect against hypertension. This thesis investigates Sestrin 2's role in hypertension pathophysiology, its link to kidney function, and exercise's effect on Sestrin 2 levels. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) were divided into three groups: control, hypertension, and hypertension-exercise. Hypertension groups received 400 mg/L L-NAME in drinking water for 6 weeks. The hypertension-exercise group also underwent treadmill exercise (20 m/min, 45 min/day) for the last 4 weeks. In week 7, after collecting 24-hour urine samples, blood, muscle, heart, and kidney samples were taken under anesthesia before euthanasia. Results: In the hypertension group, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were higher than the control group. In the hypertension-exercise group, these pressures decreased (p<0.05). Sestrin 2 levels and creatinine clearance in muscles were lower in the hypertension group (p<0.05). Muscle MDA levels also decreased in the hypertension group (p<0.05). In the hypertension-exercise group, blood pressure, Sestrin 2 levels, and creatinine clearance were reduced compared to the hypertension group (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the hypertension group, blood pressure, Sestrin 2 levels, and creatinine clearance were higher, while muscle MDA levels were lower compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the hypertension-exercise group, blood pressure, Sestrin 2 levels, and creatinine clearance decreased compared to the hypertension group (p<0.05). Key Words: Sestrin 2, hypertension, exercise, oxidative stress