Combinatorial effect of lower extremity blood flow restriction and low intensity endurance exercise on aorta of old male rats: Histomorphological and molecular approach

Given the importance of knowing the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) plus exercise training (BFR training) on the cardiovascular system, present study conducted to determine the effect of combination of BFR with low intensity endurance exercise on aorta of old rats. Animal groups were control (CTL), sham (Sh), BFR, exercise (Ex), sham + exercise (Sh + Ex), and BFR + exercise (BFR + Ex). BFR induced by partial closing of the bilateral femoral arteries and duration of exercise was 10 weeks. BFR induced increasing of aorta wall thickness and decreasing its elastin/collagen ratio. Training alone increased the expression of apelin (P