Time-efficient inspiratory muscle strength training for improving blood pressure and vascular function in older adults with sleep-disordered breathing

Project Summary
Exercise has well-documented benefits for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and cardiovascular health. Whereas
current guidelines advocate ~150 min moderate intensity exercise/week, our preliminary data show ~5
min/day of inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) for 6 weeks lowers casual (resting) SBP by ~12 mmHg.
This simple approach to lowering BP could be applied to almost any population however we propose to
study IMST in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is an ideal population to target because
OSA prevalence is growing and because snoring and apneas result in chronic intermittent hypoxemia that
drives sympathetic nervous system (SNS) hyperactivity, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. These
substantive risks for cardiovascular disease are compounded by poor adherence to the mainstay treatment
continuous positive airway pressure (<50%), obesity, fatigue and a robust intolerance for exercise.
Our findings in healthy young adults (n=50) show IMST-related reductions in BP are mediated by
decreases in systemic vascular resistance, suggesting changes in vascular tone and function. Consistent with
this hypothesis, our results from a pilot clinical trial in adults with OSA (n=24) show IMST-related reductions in
plasma norepinephrine levels (PNE) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), both markers of SNS
activity. Our preliminary mechanistic assessments indicate IMST may lower circulating concentrations of other
vasoconstrictor factors and increase nitric oxide (NO)-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation. And, findings
in a novel endothelial cell culture model, point to increases in NO and declines in reactive oxygen species
(ROS) and oxidative stress. However, it is unknown if: 1) IMST lowers casual and 24-h (ambulatory) SBP in
older adults with OSA; 2) the reductions in SBP are long-lasting; 3) arterial stiffness, NO-mediated endothelial
dilation and/or oxidative stress are improved; and 4) if adherence in this population is high long term.
We propose a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial to establish the efficacy of IMST
(75% maximum inspiratory pressure, [PImax]) 5 days/week for 24 weeks vs. placebo (15%PImax) (n=61/group)
for lowering SBP in adults (>50 years) with above normal BP and OSA. We hypothesize that IMST will lower
SBP via reductions in SNS activity and circulating vasoconstrictor factors, improvements in vascular function,
and reductions in oxidative stress/inflammation and that reductions in SBP will be sustained after IMST.
Aim 1: To determine casual and 24-h ambulatory BP; before/after, and 4- and 12-weeks post-IMST/placebo
training. Safety, tolerability and adherence also will be assessed.
Aim 2: To measure arterial stiffness, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMDBA), plasma PNE, MSNA,
vasoconstrictor factors and inflammation; before/after, and 4- and 12-weeks post-IMST/placebo training.
Aim 3: To evaluate superoxide related suppression of FMDBA, and markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant
defense in endothelial cells from subjects before/after, and 4- and 12-weeks post-IMST/placebo training.

Grant Number: 5R01AG065346-05
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: E. BAILEY