Moderate intensity exercise is associated with decreased angiotensin-converting enzyme, increased β2-adrenergic receptor gene expression, and lower blood pressure in middle-aged men.

PURPOSE The purpose of the current study was to characterize the role of aerobic exercise in the gene expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) in untrained men. METHODS Twenty untrained middle-aged men were randomly assigned to exercise (Exe) and control (Con) groups. The Exe group performed aerobic exercises for eight weeks. ACE mRNA and ADRB2 mRNA were determined by PCR. RESULTS The expression of ACE in week 4 and in the Exe group decreased significantly (p < .001). ADRB2 in the Exe group, in week 4 and in week 8, was markedly higher, and blood pressure was significantly lower than in the Con group (p < .001). In the Con group ADRB2 mRNA decreased. CONCLUSION These results suggest that moderate intensity exercise promotes the leukocyte expression of gene markers that may affect blood pressure by improving cardiovascular fitness levels in middle-aged men.