EFEITOS DA CLOREXIDINA SOBRE A PRESSÃO ARTERIAL DE JOVENS SUBMETIDOS AO EXERCÍCIO FÍSICO INTENSO

Abstract

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is a natural physiological response, which can occur in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals. It causes a reduction in blood pressure (BP) after exercise, in relation to previous rest. However, several factors seem to influence the occurrence of PEH. Among them, nitric oxide (NO) stands out, which is responsible for vasodilation. Furthermore, the bioavailability of NO is associated with the oral cavity and the existence of bacteria responsible for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite through the enterosalivary circulation. Thus, antibacterial mouthwashes exhibit inhibition of nitrite activity, which can impact resting blood pressure. Therefore, based on previous evidence, the present study aimed to verify the influence of a chlorhexidine-based mouthwash before a session of intense incremental exercise, in order to analyze the behavior of PEH in men and women. 30 young normotensive participants completed the study (15 men and 15 women). The subjects performed a 1-minute rinse with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine (0.2%) or placebo on different days with a crossover design. After the initial BP measurements, they were submitted to incremental exercise, with an initial speed of 6 km/h with increments of 1.5 km/h every two minutes until exhaustion. Afterwards, the volunteers were positioned in a quiet room and BP was checked every 15 minutes for 1 h. Men had PEH for SBP regardless of mouthwash (˜10mmHg, p <0.05). However, women had attenuated PEH in the experimental condition with chlorhexidine (p > 0.05). Finally, a single chlorhexidine mouthwash appears to attenuate PEH in women, but without effects in men. Keywords: Chlorexidine, post-exercise hypotension, blood pressure