This study was designed to test the possible effects of a combination of physical and pharmacological therapy intervention on myocardial structure of the left ventricle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Twelve weeks old spontaneously hypertensive rats (n = 40) were divided into four groups of sedentary, (Sed) as controls, exercise only (Exer), lisinopril only 20mg/kg/day (Lis), and exercise + lisinopril (LisExer). Exercise training was performed on a treadmill (5m/min.) for 60 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks, all the rats were terminally anaesthetised, the heart was arrested in diastole by intravenous procaine and whole animal perfusion fixation through the abdominal aorta was carried out using Karnovsky's fixative (pH... |