Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training associated with carnosine precursor supplementation on maximal strength and V̇O in rats with heart failure.

Background: Combined exercise training (CET) has been associated with positive responses in the clinical status of patients with heart failure (HF). Other nonpharmacological tools, such as amino acid supplementation, may further enhance its adaptation. The aim was to test whether CET associated with supplementing carnosine precursors could present better responses in the functional capacity and biochemical variables of rats with HF.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation but not photobiomodulation therapy improves cardiovascular parameters of rats with heart failure.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and photobiomodulation (PBMT) on the cardiovascular parameters, hemodynamic function, arterial baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and autonomic balance (ANS) of rats with heart failure (HF). Male Wistar rats (220-290 g) were organized into five groups: Sham ( = 6), Control-HF ( = 5), NMES-HF ( = 6), PBMT-HF ( = 6), and NMES + PBMT-HF ( = 6). Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by left coronary artery ligation.

β-Alanine and l-histidine supplementation associated with combined training increased functional capacity and maximum strength in heart failure rats.

What is the central question of the study? Does β-alanine with l-histidine supplementation associated with endurance and strength training improve echocardiographic parameters, functional capacity, and maximum strength in rats with chronic heart failure? What is the main finding and its importance? β-Alanine with l-histidine supplementation associated with endurance and strength training increased functional capacity and maximum strength through increasing exercise capacity peripherally but did not affect echocardiographic parameters in rats with chronic heart failure. Combined training (CT) has been associated with positive responses in the clinical status of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Other non-pharmacological tools, such as amino acid supplementation, may further enhance its adaptation.

Functional capacity in a rat model of heart failure: impact of myocardial infarct size.

What is the central question of this study? To the best of our knowledge, no studies have evaluated oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production and exercise tolerance in rats that have undergone myocardial infarction classified by myocardial infarct (MI) size. What is the main finding and its importance? Oxygen uptake and exercise intolerance are MI size dependent, and classification based on MI size can distinguish rats with functional capacity impairment. Rats with a large MI (>40% of the left ventricle) might provide a good model for the testing of new therapies that have the potential to modify the variables of functional capacity.

Maximal oxygen uptake and exercise tolerance are improved in rats with heart failure subjected to low-level laser therapy associated with resistance training.

Exercise tolerance and maximal oxygen uptake (VO) are reduced in heart failure (HF). The influence of combined resistance training (RT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on exercise tolerance and VO in HF has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of combined RT and LLLT on VO and exercise tolerance in rats with HF induced by myocardial infarction (MI).

Light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) improves functional capacity in rats with heart failure.

The syndrome of heart failure (HF) promotes central and peripheral dysfunctions that result in functional capacity decrease, leading to fatigue, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance. The use of light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) has shown good results reducing fatigue and exercise intolerance, when applied on skeletal muscles before or after exercises. Thereby, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of LEDT on functional capacity, aerobic power, and hemodynamic function in HF rats.