Exercise training-induced enhancement of coronary vasodilatory function is absent in rats lacking the transcription factor, Nrf2

Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that is crucial in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Aerobic exercise training has been reported to enhance vasodilatory responses of coronary arterioles through signaling that involves reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that deletion of Nrf2 would alter vasodilatory responses of coronary arterioles and limit exercise training-induced adaptations of coronary vasodilatory function. We exercise trained wild type (WT) Sprague-Dawley rats, and their littermates that were lacking the Nrf2 gene (Nrf2KO). Rats were either exercise trained (EX) on a motor-driven treadmill 5 days/wk or remained sedentary (SED) in their cages for 10–12 weeks. A mixed moderate aerobic and high-intensity interval training protocol was utilized. At the end of the training period, coronary arterioles were isolated and vasodilatory responses to intraluminal flow (pressure differences from 2–60 cm H2O) and the exogenous nitric oxide donor, Dea-NONO-a...