Shanshan Li1, Yu Chen2, Yanyan Zhang2, Huirong Zhang2, Ying Wu2, Hui He3, Lijing Gong3, Fanxing Zeng2, Lijun Shi4. 1. Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China. 2. Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China. 3. China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China. 4. Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; China Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China. Electronic address: shilj@bsu.edu.cn.
Abstract
AIMS: Studies suggest that cardiovascular function in offspring can be epigenetically programmed by environmental changes during pregnancy. CaV1.2 channel plays a major role in the regulation of the vascular tone. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of exercise during pregnancy on CaV1.2 channel functional remodeling in hypertensive offspring. MAIN METHODS: Exercise groups were subjected to swimming at the first day of pregnancy and on a regular schedule thereafter for 3 weeks. Their offspring (6-month-old, male) were tested for baseline blood pressure, cardiovascular response, and vascular tone of the mesenteric artery. Mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells were taken to study the whole-cell current of the CaV1.2 channel. Western blotting, RT-PCR and DNA bisulfite sequencing PCR were performed to study the protein, mRNA expression and DNA methylation of the CaV1.2 channel α1C subunit. KEY FINDINGS: Exercise during pregnancy reduced the pressor response to norepinephrine and Bay K8644, and the depressor response to nifedipine in offspring of hypertensive rats. The level of the CaV1.2 channel in norepinephrine-induced vasoconstrictions decreased, and the whole-cell current of the CaV1.2 channel declined in the SHR-EX group. Further studies found that exercise during pregnancy reduced the protein and mRNA expression of the CaV1.2 channel α1C subunit and upregulated DNA methylation of the Cacna1c gene promoter region in the hypertensive offspring. SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest that exercise during pregnancy improves vascular functional remodeling in offspring of hypertensive rats, downregulating the CaV1.2 channel function and protein expression, a change that is most likely caused by DNA methylation.
AIMS: Studies suggest that cardiovascular function in offspring can be epigenetically programmed by environmental changes during pregnancy. CaV1.2 channel plays a major role in the regulation of the vascular tone. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of exercise during pregnancy on CaV1.2 channel functional remodeling in hypertensive offspring. MAIN METHODS: Exercise groups were subjected to swimming at the first day of pregnancy and on a regular schedule thereafter for 3 weeks. Their offspring (6-month-old, male) were tested for baseline blood pressure, cardiovascular response, and vascular tone of the mesenteric artery. Mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells were taken to study the whole-cell current of the CaV1.2 channel. Western blotting, RT-PCR and DNA bisulfite sequencing PCR were performed to study the protein, mRNA expression and DNA methylation of the CaV1.2 channel α1C subunit. KEY FINDINGS: Exercise during pregnancy reduced the pressor response to norepinephrine and Bay K8644, and the depressor response to nifedipine in offspring of hypertensiverats. The level of the CaV1.2 channel in norepinephrine-induced vasoconstrictions decreased, and the whole-cell current of the CaV1.2 channel declined in the SHR-EX group. Further studies found that exercise during pregnancy reduced the protein and mRNA expression of the CaV1.2 channel α1C subunit and upregulated DNA methylation of the Cacna1c gene promoter region in the hypertensive offspring. SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest that exercise during pregnancy improves vascular functional remodeling in offspring of hypertensiverats, downregulating the CaV1.2 channel function and protein expression, a change that is most likely caused by DNA methylation.
Authors: Letícia de B Sene; Débora C Damasceno; Renato Rocha; Isabela L Iessi; José C Peraçoli; Gustavo T Volpato Journal: Reprod Sci Date: 2021-05-13 Impact factor: 3.060