FSTL1 as a Potential Mediator of Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection in Post-Myocardial Infarction Rats

Follistatin-like protein 1 attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by inhibiting MsrB2-mediated mitophagy

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapeutic drug; however, its clinical use is limited due to its cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) is a potent cardiokine that protects the heart from diverse cardiac diseases, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury, and heart failure. However, its role in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy is unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated whether administering recombinant FSTL1 could mitigate DOX-induced cardiomyopathy and clarified the underlying molecular mechanisms. FSTL1 treatment attenuated DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis, and cellular apoptosis by inhibiting excess mitochondrial matrix protein methionine sulfoxide reductase B2 (MsrB2)-mediated mitophagy. Furthermore, FSTL1 administration reduced the expression of apoptotic proteins, including MsrB2, Bax, caspase 3, mitochondrial Parkin, and LC3-II, increased myocardial ATP content, and decreased cardiac malondialdehyde levels, thus protecting mitochondrial function against DOX-induced cardiac injury. Furthermore, FSTL1 treatment protected the contractile properties of adult cardiomyocytes against DOX-induced injury in vitro. Furthermore, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, a mitophagy inducer, impaired the protective effects of FSTL1 in DOX-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, these results show that FSTL1 is a novel therapeutic agent against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity that improves mitochondrial function and decreases mitophagy.

Resistance exercise upregulates Irisin expression and suppresses myocardial fibrosis following myocardial infarction via activating AMPK-Sirt1 and inactivating TGFβ1-Smad2/3

AIM

To reveal the contribution of Irisin in the beneficial effects of resistance exercise on myocardial fibrosis (MF) and cardiac function in the mice with myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

The MI model was built by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in Fndc5 knockout mice (Fndc5-/-). Resistance exercise was started one week after surgery and continued for four weeks. In addition, H2O2, AICAR, recombinant human Irisin protein (rhIRISIN), and Sirt1 shRNA lentivirus (LV-Sirt1 shRNA) were used to intervene primary isolated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). MF was observed through Masson staining, and apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining. MDA and T-SOD contents were detected by biochemical kits. The expression of proteins and genes was detected by Western blotting and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

Resistance exercise increased Fndc5 mRNA level, inhibited the activation of TGFβ1-TGFβR2-Smad2/3 pathway, activated AMPK-Sirt1 pathway, reduced the levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and MF in the infarcted heart, and promoted cardiac function. However, Fndc5 knockout attenuated the protective effects of resistance exercise on the MI heart. Results of the in vitro experiments showed that AICAR and rhIRISIN intervention activated the AMPK-Sirt1 pathway and inactivated the TGFβ1-Smad2/3 pathway, and promoted apoptosis in H2O2-treated CFs. Notably, these effects of rhIRISIN intervention, except for the TGFβR2 expression, were attenuated by LV-Sirt1 shRNA.

CONCLUSION

Resistance exercise upregulates Fndc5 expression, activates AMPK-Sirt1 pathway, inhibits the activation of TGFβ1-Smad2/3 pathway, attenuates MF, and promotes cardiac function after MI.

RNA-mediated epigenetic regulation in exercised heart: Mechanisms and opportunities for intervention

Physical exercise has been widely acknowledged as a beneficial lifestyle alteration and a potent non-pharmacological treatment for heart disease. Extensive investigations have revealed the beneficial effects of exercise on the heart and the underlying mechanisms involved. Exercise is considered one of the key factors that can lead to epigenetic alterations. The increasing number of identified molecules in the exercised heart has led to many studies in recent years that have explored the cellular function of ncRNAs and RNA modifications in the heart. Investigating the regulatory role of RNA-mediated epigenetic regulation in exercised hearts will contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies for the management of heart diseases. This review aims to summarize the positive impact of exercise on cardiac health. We will first provide an overview of the mechanisms through which exercise offers protection to the heart. Subsequently, we will delve into the current understanding of ncRNAs, specifically miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, as well as RNA modification, focusing on RNA m6A and RNA A-to-I editing, and how they contribute to exercise-induced benefits for the heart. Lastly, we will explore the emerging therapeutic strategies that utilize exercise-mediated RNA epigenetic regulation in the treatment of heart diseases, while also addressing the challenges faced in this field.

Molecular insights of exercise therapy in disease prevention and treatment

Despite substantial evidence emphasizing the pleiotropic benefits of exercise for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, the underlying biological mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Several exercise benefits have been attributed to signaling molecules that are released in response to exercise by different tissues such as skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, adipose, and liver tissue. These signaling molecules, which are collectively termed exerkines, form a heterogenous group of bioactive substances, mediating inter-organ crosstalk as well as structural and functional tissue adaption. Numerous scientific endeavors have focused on identifying and characterizing new biological mediators with such properties. Additionally, some investigations have focused on the molecular targets of exerkines and the cellular signaling cascades that trigger adaption processes. A detailed understanding of the tissue-specific downstream effects of exerkines is crucial to harness the health-related benefits mediated by exercise and improve targeted exercise programs in health and disease. Herein, we review the current in vivo evidence on exerkine-induced signal transduction across multiple target tissues and highlight the preventive and therapeutic value of exerkine signaling in various diseases. By emphasizing different aspects of exerkine research, we provide a comprehensive overview of (i) the molecular underpinnings of exerkine secretion, (ii) the receptor-dependent and receptor-independent signaling cascades mediating tissue adaption, and (iii) the clinical implications of these mechanisms in disease prevention and treatment.

FSTL1: A double-edged sword in cancer development

Flolistatin-related protein 1 (FSTL1), a secreted glycoprotein that is involved in many physiological functions, has attracted much interest and has been implicated in a wide range of diseases, including heart diseases and inflammatory diseases. In recent years, the involvement of FSTL1 in cancer progression has been implicated and researched. FSTL1 plays a contradictory role in cancer, depending on the cancer type as well as the contents of the tumor microenvironment. As reviewed here, the structure and distribution of FSTL1 are first introduced. Subsequently, the expression and clinical significance of FSTL1 in various types of cancer as a tumor enhancer or inhibitor are addressed. Furthermore, we discuss the functional role of FSTL1 in various processes that involve tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, immune responses, stemness, cell apoptosis, and resistance to chemotherapy. FSTL1 expression is tightly controlled in cancer, and a multitude of cancer-related signaling cascades like TGF-β/BMP/Smad signaling, AKT, NF-κB, and Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways are modulated by FSTL1. Finally, FSTL1 as a therapeutic target using monoclonal antibodies is stated. Herein, we review recent findings showing the double-edged characteristics and mechanisms of FSTL1 in cancer and elaborate on the current understanding of therapeutic approaches targeting FSTL1.

Follistatin-like 1 is a myokine regulating lipid mobilization during endurance exercise and recovery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the follistatin-like 1 (Fstl1) and disco-interacting protein 2 homolog A (DIP2a) axis in relation to lipid metabolism during and after endurance exercise and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects of Fstl1 on adipocytes, considering its regulation by exercise and muscle mass and its link to obesity.

METHODS

Twenty-nine sedentary males participated in endurance exercise, and blood samples were collected during and after the exercise. Body composition, Fstl1, glycerol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and atrial natriuretic peptide were measured. 3T3-L1 adipocytes, with or without DIP2a knockdown, were treated with Fstl1 to assess glycerol release, cyclic AMP/cyclic GMP production, and hormone sensitive lipase phosphorylation. The association between DIP2a gene expression levels in human adipose tissues and exercise-induced lipolysis was examined.

RESULTS

Fstl1 levels significantly increased during endurance exercise and following recovery, correlating with lean body mass and lipolysis. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Fstl1 increased glycerol release, cyclic GMP production, and hormone sensitive lipase activation, but these effects were attenuated by DIP2a knockdown. DIP2a gene expression in human adipose tissues correlated with serum glycerol concentrations during endurance exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Fstl1 is a myokine facilitating lipid mobilization during and after endurance exercise through DIP2a-mediated lipolytic effects in adipocytes.

Skeletal muscle-derived FSTL1 starting up angiogenesis by regulating endothelial junction via activating Src pathway can be upregulated by hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) promotes microangiogenesis and revascularization after ischemia. Neovascularization starts with the destruction of intercellular junctions and is accompanied by various endothelial cell angiogenic behaviors. Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a cardiovascular-protective myokine that works against ischemic injury. The present study examined whether FSTL1 was involved in H2S-induced angiogenesis and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. We observed that H2S accelerated blood perfusion after ischemia in the mouse hindlimb ischemia model. Western blot analysis showed that H2S stabilized FSTL1 transcript and increased FSTL1 and Human antigen R (HuR) levels in skeletal muscle. RNA-interference HuR significantly inhibited the H2S-promoted increase in FSTL1 levels. Exogenous FSTL1 promoted the wound-healing migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and increased monolayer endothelial barrier permeability. Immunostaining showed that FSTL1 increased interendothelial gap formation and decreased VE-Cadherin, Occludin, Connexin-43, and Claudin-5 expression. In addition, FSTL1 significantly increased the phosphorylation of Src and VEGFR2. However, the Src inhibitor, not the VEGFR2 inhibitor, could block FSTL1-induced effects in angiogenesis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that H2S could upregulate the expression of FSTL1 by increasing the HuR levels in skeletal muscle, and paracrine FSTL1 could initiate angiogenesis by opening intercellular junctions via the Src signaling pathway.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The myocyte-derived paracrine protein FSTL1 acts on vascular endothelial cells and initiates the process of angiogenesis by opening the intercellular junction via activating Src kinase. H2S can significantly upregulate FSTL1 protein levels in skeletal muscles by increasing HuR expression.

Highlighting the idea of exerkines in the management of cancer patients with cachexia: novel insights and a critical review

BACKGROUND

Exerkines are all peptides, metabolites, and nucleic acids released into the bloodstream during and after physical exercise. Exerkines liberated from skeletal muscle (myokines), the heart (cardiokines), liver (hepatokines), white adipose tissue (adipokines), brown adipose tissue (batokines), and neurons (neurokines) may benefit health and wellbeing. Cancer-related cachexia is a highly prevalent disorder characterized by weight loss with specific skeletal muscle and adipose tissue loss. Many studies have sought to provide exercise strategies for managing cachexia, focusing on musculoskeletal tissue changes. Therefore, understanding the responses of musculoskeletal and other tissue exerkines to acute and chronic exercise may provide novel insight and recommendations for physical training to counteract cancer-related cachexia.

METHODS

For the purpose of conducting this study review, we made efforts to gather relevant studies and thoroughly discuss them to create a comprehensive overview. To achieve this, we conducted searches using appropriate keywords in various databases. Studies that were deemed irrelevant to the current research, not available in English, or lacking full-text access were excluded. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge the limited amount of research conducted in this specific field.

RESULTS

In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the findings, we prioritized human studies in order to obtain results that closely align with the scope of the present study. However, in instances where human studies were limited or additional analysis was required to draw more robust conclusions, we also incorporated animal studies. Finally, 295 studies, discussed in this review.

CONCLUSION

Our understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms related to the significance of investigating exerkines in cancer cachexia is currently quite basic. Nonetheless, this demonstrated that resistance and aerobic exercise can contribute to the reduction and control of the disease in individuals with cancer cachexia, as well as in survivors, by inducing changes in exerkines.

ELABELA-APJ-Akt/YAP Signaling Axis: A Novel Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Cardioprotection of Myocardial Infarction Rats

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the function and mechanisms of ELABELA (ELA) in the aerobic exercise-induced antiapoptosis and angiogenesis of ischemic heart.

METHODS

The myocardial infarction (MI) model of Sprague-Dawley rat was established by the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MI rats underwent 5 wk of Fc-ELA-21 subcutaneous injection and aerobic exercise training using a motorized rodent treadmill. Heart function was evaluated by hemodynamic measures. Cardiac pathological remodeling was evaluated by Masson's staining and the calculation of left ventricular weight index. Cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) translocation were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL. Cell culture and treatment were used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of ELA. Protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Angiogenesis was observed by tubule formation test. One-way or two-way ANOVA and Student's t -test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Aerobic exercise stimulated the endogenous ELA expression. Exercise and Fc-ELA-21 intervention significantly activated APJ-Akt-mTOR-P70S6K signaling pathway, kept more cardiomyocytes alive, and increased angiogenesis, so as to inhibit the cardiac pathological remodeling and improved the heart function of MI rats. Fc-ELA-32 also had the cellular and functional cardioprotective activities in vivo . In vitro , ELA-14 peptide regulated the phosphorylation and nucleoplasmic translocation of YAP and activated the APJ-Akt signaling pathway so as to increase the proliferation of H9C2 cells. Moreover, the antiapoptosis and the tubule formation of HUVECs were also enhanced by ELA-14, whereas the inhibition of Akt activity weakened such effects.

CONCLUSIONS

ELA is a potential therapeutic member that plays a key role through APJ-Akt/YAP signaling axis in aerobic exercise-induced cardioprotection of MI rats.

Follistatin-like 1 and its paralogs in heart development and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels and a leading cause of death worldwide. Thus, there is a need to identify new cardiokines that may protect the heart from damage as reported in GBD 2017 Causes of Death Collaborators (2018) (The Lancet 392:1736-1788). Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a cardiokine that is highly expressed in the heart and released to the serum after cardiac injury where it is associated with CVD and predicts poor outcome. The action of FSTL1 likely depends not only on the tissue source but also post-translation modifications that are target tissue- and cell-specific. Animal studies examining the effect of FSTL1 in various models of heart disease have exploded over the past 15 years and primarily report a protective effect spanning from inhibiting inflammation via transforming growth factor, preventing remodeling and fibrosis to promoting angiogenesis and hypertrophy. A better understanding of FSTL1 and its homologs is needed to determine whether this protein could be a useful novel biomarker to predict poor outcome and death and whether it has therapeutic potential. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the literature for this family of proteins in order to better understand their role in normal physiology and CVD.

Exercise-induced signaling pathways to counteracting cardiac apoptotic processes

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the world. One of the major causes of cardiac death is excessive apoptosis. However, multiple pathways through moderate exercise can reduce myocardial apoptosis. After moderate exercise, the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as IGF-1, IGF-1R, p-PI3K, p-Akt, ERK-1/2, SIRT3, PGC-1α, and Bcl-2 increases in the heart. While apoptotic proteins such as PTEN, PHLPP-1, GSK-3, JNK, P38MAPK, and FOXO are reduced in the heart. Exercise-induced mechanical stress activates the β and α5 integrins and subsequently, focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation activates the Akt/mTORC1 and ERK-1/2 pathways, leading to an anti-apoptotic response. One of the reasons for the decrease in exercise-induced apoptosis is the decrease in Fas-ligand protein, Fas-death receptor, TNF-α receptor, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), caspase-8, and caspase-3. In addition, after exercise mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic factors such as Bid, t-Bid, Bad, p-Bad, Bak, cytochrome c, and caspase-9 are reduced. These changes lead to a reduction in oxidative damage, a reduction in infarct size, a reduction in cardiac apoptosis, and an increase in myocardial function. After exercising in the heart, the levels of RhoA, ROCK1, Rac1, and ROCK2 decrease, while the levels of PKCε, PKCδ, and PKCɑ are activated to regulate calcium and prevent mPTP perforation. Exercise has an anti-apoptotic effect on heart failure by increasing the PKA-Akt-eNOS and FSTL1-USP10-Notch1 pathways, reducing the negative effects of CaMKIIδ, and increasing the calcineurin/NFAT pathway. Exercise plays a protective role in the heart by increasing HSP20, HSP27, HSP40, HSP70, HSP72, and HSP90 along with increasing JAK2 and STAT3 phosphorylation. However, research on exercise and factors such as Pim-1, Notch, and FAK in cardiac apoptosis is scarce, so further research is needed. Future research is recommended to discover more anti-apoptotic pathways. It is also recommended to study the synergistic effect of exercise with gene therapy, dietary supplements, and cell therapy for future research.

Aerobic exercise training-induced follistatin-like 1 secretion in the skeletal muscle is related to arterial stiffness via arterial NO production in obese rats

Follistatin‐like 1 (FSTL1), which is mainly secreted from skeletal muscle and myocardium, upregulates protein kinase B (Akt) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in vascular endothelial cells. It is unclear whether skeletal muscle‐ and myocardium‐derived FSTL1 secretion induced by aerobic exercise training is involved in the reduction of arterial stiffness via arterial NO production in obese rats. This study aimed to clarify whether aerobic exercise training‐induced FSTL1 secretion in myocardium and skeletal muscle is associated with a reduction in arterial stiffness via arterial Akt‐eNOS signaling pathway in obese rats. Sixteen Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) obese rats were randomly divided into two groups: sedentary control (OLETF‐CON) and eight‐week aerobic exercise training (treadmill for 60min at 25m/min, 5days/week, OLETF‐AT). Eight Long‐Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as a healthy sedentary control group. In OLETF‐CON, serum FSTL1, arterial Akt and eNOS phosphorylation, and arterial nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels were significantly lower, and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) was significantly greater than those in LETO. These parameters were improved in the OLETF‐AT compared to the OLETF‐CON. In the OLETF‐AT, FSTL1 levels in slow‐twitch fiber‐rich soleus muscle were significantly greater than those in the OLETF‐CON, but not in myocardium, fast‐twitch fiber‐rich tibialis anterior muscle, and adipose tissue. Serum FSTL1 levels were positively correlated with soleus FSTL1, arterial eNOS phosphorylation, and NOx levels and negatively correlated with cfPWV. Thus, aerobic exercise training‐induced FSTL1 secretion in slow‐twitch fiber‐rich muscles may be associated with a reduction in arterial stiffness via arterial NO production in obese rats.

Role of Chitinase-3-like Protein 1 in Cardioprotection and Angiogenesis by Post-Infarction Exercise Training

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) is a myokine involving tissue remodeling and inflammatory processes. CHI3L1 and its receptor protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) are induced by exercise in skeletal muscles. However, it remains unknown if CHI3L1/PAR2 signaling also mediates exercise-induced cardioprotection after myocardial infarction. Twenty-four adult male rats were divided into three groups (n = 8/group), receiving: (1) a sham operation; (2) permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery; and (3) post-MI exercise training with one-week adaptive treadmill exercise for seven days followed by four weeks of aerobic exercise. Left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressure indices were measured and cardiac fibrosis, and angiogenesis were examined. Furthermore, HUVEC cells were treated in vitro with AMPK agonist—AICAR (a putative pharmacological memetic of exercise), recombinant human CHI3L1, PAR2 receptor blocker (AZ3451), and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), respectively. We found that post-MI exercise significantly upregulated CHI3L1, PAR2, pPI3K/PI3K, pAKT/AKT, pERK/ERK, improved cardiac function, and diminished fibrosis. AICAR increased HUVEC tubules formation and upregulated CHI3L1 and PAR2 and these changes were attenuated by PAR2 blocker. In conclusion, post-MI exercise training can effectively activate CHI3L1/PAR2 signaling, which led to the improved myocardial function and enhanced cardiac angiogenesis in the infarcted heart.

[Molecular mechanisms of adaptive and therapeutic effects of physical activity in patients with cardiovascular diseases]

Physical activity is one of the main components of the rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). As shown by practice and the results of evidence-based studies, the beneficial effects of physical activity on disease outcomes in a number of cardiac nosologies are comparable to drug treatment. This gives the doctor another tool to influence the unfavorable epidemiological situation in developed countries with the spread of diseases of the cardiovascular system and CVD mortality. Reliable positive results of cardiorehabilitation (CR) were obtained using various methods. The goal of CR is to restore the optimal physiological, psychological and professional status, reduce the risk of CVD and mortality. In most current CVD guidelines worldwide, cardiac rehabilitation is a Class I recommendation. The molecular mechanisms described in the review, initiated by physical activity, underlie the multifactorial effect of the latter on the function of the cardiovascular system and the course of cardiac diseases. Physical exercise is an important component of the therapeutic management of patients with CVD, which is supported by the results of a meta-analysis of 63 studies associated with various forms of aerobic exercise of varying intensity (from 50 to 95% VO₂) for 1 to 47 months, which showed that CR based on physical exercise improves cardiorespiratory endurance. Knowledge of the molecular basis of the influence of physical activity makes it possible to use biochemical markers to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.

FSTL1-USP10-Notch1 Signaling Axis Protects Against Cardiac Dysfunction Through Inhibition of Myocardial Fibrosis in Diabetic Mice

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing globally, and T2DM patients are at an increased risk of major cardiac events such as myocardial infarction (MI). Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying MI injury in T2DM remain elusive. Ubiquitin-specific protease 10 (USP10) functions as a NICD1 (Notch1 receptor) deubiquitinase that fine-tunes the essential myocardial fibrosis regulator Notch signaling. Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) is a cardiokine with proven benefits in multiple pathological processes including cardiac fibrosis and insulin resistance. This study was designed to examine the roles of FSTL1/USP10/Notch1 signaling in MI-induced cardiac dysfunction in T2DM. High-fat-diet-treated, 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice and db/db T2DM mice were used. Intracardiac delivery of AAV9-FSTL1 was performed in T2DM mice following MI surgery with or without intraperitoneal injection of crenigacestat (LY3039478) and spautin-1. Our results demonstrated that FSTL1 improved cardiac function following MI under T2DM by reducing serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and myocardial apoptosis as well as cardiac fibrosis. Further in vivo studies revealed that the protective role of FSTL1 against MI injury in T2DM was mediated by the activation of USP10/Notch1. FSTL1 protected cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) against DM-MI-induced cardiofibroblasts injury by suppressing the levels of fibrosis markers, and reducing LDH and MDA concentrations in a USP10/Notch1-dependent manner. In conclusion, FSTL1 treatment ameliorated cardiac dysfunction in MI with co-existent T2DM, possibly through inhibition of myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis by upregulating USP10/Notch1 signaling. This finding suggests the clinical relevance and therapeutic potential of FSTL1 in T2DM-associated MI and other cardiovascular diseases.

Exercise Effects On Cardiovascular Disease: From Basic Aspects To Clinical Evidence

Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of major morbidity and CVD- and all-cause mortality in most of the world. It is now clear that regular physical activity (PA) and exercise training (ET) induces a wide range of direct and indirect physiologic adaptations and pleiotropic benefits for human general and CV health. Generally, higher levels of PA, ET, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are correlated with reduced risk of CVD, including myocardial infarction, CVD-related death, and all-cause mortality. Although exact details regarding the ideal doses of ET, including resistance and, especially, aerobic ET, as well as the potential adverse effects of extreme levels of ET, continue to be investigated, there is no question that most of the world's population have insufficient levels of PA/ET, and many also have lower than ideal levels of CRF. Therefore, assessment and promotion of PA, ET, and efforts to improve levels of CRF should be integrated into all health professionals' practices worldwide. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss the exercise effects on many areas related to CVD, from basic aspects to clinical practice.

Dynamic resistance exercise increases skeletal muscle-derived FSTL1 inducing cardiac angiogenesis via DIP2A-Smad2/3 in rats following myocardial infarction

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of dynamic resistance exercise to generate skeletal muscle-derived follistatin like-1 (FSTL1), which may induce cardioprotection in rats following myocardial infarction (MI) by inducing angiogenesis.

METHODS

Male, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 12 in each group): sham group (S), sedentary MI group (MI), MI + resistance exercise group (MR), MI + adeno-associated virus (AAV)-FSTL1 injection group (MA), and MI + AAV-FSTL1 injection + resistance exercise group (MAR). The AAV-FSTL1 vector was prepared by molecular biology methods and injected into the anterior tibialis muscle. The MI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Rats in the MR and MAR groups underwent 4 weeks of dynamic resistance exercise training using a weighted climbing-up ladder. Heart function was evaluated by hemodynamic measures. Collagen volume fraction of myocardium was observed and analyzed by Masson's staining. Human umbilical vein vessel endothelial cells culture and recombinant human FSTL1 protein or transforming growth factor-β receptor 1 (TGFβR1) inhibitor treatment were used to elucidate the molecular signaling mechanism of FSTL1. Angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and disco interacting protein 2 homolog A (DIP2A) location were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of FSTL1, DIP2A, and the activation of signaling pathways were detected by Western blotting. Angiogenesis of endothelial cells was observed by tubule experiment. One-way analysis of variance and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Resistance exercise stimulated the secretion of skeletal muscle FSTL1, which promoted myocardial angiogenesis, inhibited pathological remodeling, and protected cardiac function in MI rats. Exercise facilitated skeletal muscle FSTL1 to play a role in protecting the heart. Exogenous FSTL1 promoted the human umbilical vein vessel endothelial cells proliferation and up-regulated the expression of DIP2A, while TGFβR1 inhibitor intervention down-regulated the phosphorylation level of Smad2/3 and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, which was not conducive to angiogenesis. FSTL1 bound to the receptor, DIP2A, to regulate angiogenesis mainly through the Smad2/3 signaling pathway. FSTL1-DIP2A directly activated Smad2/3 and was not affected by TGFβR1.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic resistance exercise stimulates the expression of skeletal muscle-derived FSTL1, which could supplement the insufficiency of cardiac FSTL1 and promote cardiac rehabilitation through the DIP2A-Smad2/3 signaling pathway in MI rats.

Aerobic exercise ameliorates cardiac hypertrophy by regulating mitochondrial quality control and endoplasmic reticulum stress through M2 AChR

Aerobic exercise increases M2 AChR, which thus improves cardiac function in cardiovascular disease (CVD) rats. This study aimed to determine whether aerobic exercise could ameliorate pressure overload-induced heart hypertrophy through M2 AChR, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Mice were used to establish the myocardial hypertrophy model by transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and subjected to 2, 4, and 8 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and choline intervention (14 mg/kg/day). Our results showed that 4 and 8 weeks of exercise and choline intervention reduced excessive mitochondrial fission and autophagy of myocardial mitochondria, thereby improving the ultrastructure and function of mitochondria after TAC. Moreover, 8-week exercise and choline intervention have enhanced parasympathetic function and promoted the expression of M2 AChR. In addition, 8-week exercise and choline intervention also inhibited the protein expression of myocardial MFN2, PERK/eIF2α/ATF4, and NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathways, thereby effectively reducing mitochondrial fusion, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that pressure overload led to cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac dysfunction, and decreased parasympathetic function in cardiac tissues. Aerobic exercise attenuated cardiac dysfunction by modulating the expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial quality control, and induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation, thereby reducing cardiac hypertrophy and improving cardiac function in impaired heart tissues following TAC, which was likely mediated by M2 AChR activation.

Follistatin-Like Proteins: Structure, Functions and Biomedical Importance

Main forms of cellular signal transmission are known to be autocrine and paracrine signaling. Several cells secrete messengers called autocrine or paracrine agents that can bind the corresponding receptors on the surface of the cells themselves or their microenvironment. Follistatin and follistatin-like proteins can be called one of the most important bifunctional messengers capable of displaying both autocrine and paracrine activity. Whilst they are not as diverse as protein hormones or protein kinases, there are only five types of proteins. However, unlike protein kinases, there are no minor proteins among them; each follistatin-like protein performs an important physiological function. These proteins are involved in a variety of signaling pathways and biological processes, having the ability to bind to receptors such as DIP2A, TLR4, BMP and some others. The activation or experimentally induced knockout of the protein-coding genes often leads to fatal consequences for individual cells and the whole body as follistatin-like proteins indirectly regulate the cell cycle, tissue differentiation, metabolic pathways, and participate in the transmission chains of the pro-inflammatory intracellular signal. Abnormal course of these processes can cause the development of oncology or apoptosis, programmed cell death. There is still no comprehensive understanding of the spectrum of mechanisms of action of follistatin-like proteins, so the systematization and study of their cellular functions and regulation is an important direction of modern molecular and cell biology. Therefore, this review focuses on follistatin-related proteins that affect multiple targets and have direct or indirect effects on cellular signaling pathways, as well as to characterize the directions of their practical application in the field of biomedicine.

Extracellular Vesicles and Exosomes: Insights From Exercise Science

The benefits of exercise on health and longevity are well-established, and evidence suggests that these effects are partially driven by a spectrum of bioactive molecules released into circulation during exercise (e.g., exercise factors or 'exerkines'). Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes or exosome-like vesicles (ELVs), were shown to be secreted concomitantly with exerkines. These EVs have therefore been proposed to act as cargo carriers or 'mediators' of intercellular communication. Given these findings, there has been a rapidly growing interest in the role of EVs in the multi-systemic, adaptive response to exercise. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the effects of exercise on MVs and ELVs, examine their role in the exercise response and long-term adaptations, and highlight the main methodological hurdles related to blood collection, purification, and characterization of ELVs.

Modulatory Effect of Myokines on Reactive Oxygen Species in Ischemia/Reperfusion

There is a growing body of evidence showing the importance of physical activity against acute ischemic events in various organs. Ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) is characterized by tissue damage as a result of restriction and subsequent restoration of blood supply to an organ. Oxidative stress due to increased reactive oxygen species formation and/or insufficient antioxidant defense is considered to play an important role in I/R. Physical activity not only decreases the general risk factors for ischemia but also confers direct anti-ischemic protection via myokine production. Myokines are skeletal muscle-derived cytokines, representing multifunctional communication channels between the contracting skeletal muscle and other organs through an endocrine manner. In this review, we discuss the most prominent members of the myokines (i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cathepsin B, decorin, fibroblast growth factors-2 and -21, follistatin, follistatin-like, insulin-like growth factor-1; interleukin-6, interleukin-7, interleukin-15, irisin, leukemia inhibitory factor, meteorin-like, myonectin, musclin, myostatin, and osteoglycin) with a particular interest in their potential influence on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation or antioxidant capacity. A better understanding of the mechanism of action of myokines and particularly their participation in the regulation of oxidative stress may widen their possible therapeutic use and, thereby, may support the fight against I/R.

Physiopathology of Lifestyle Interventions in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health problem, and its prevalence has increased in recent years. Diet and exercise interventions are the first-line treatment options, with weight loss via a hypocaloric diet being the most important therapeutic target in NAFLD. However, most NAFLD patients are not able to achieve such weight loss. Therefore, the requisite is the investigation of other effective therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes research on understanding complex pathophysiology underlying dietary approaches and exercise interventions with the potential to prevent and treat NAFLD.

Role of Muscle-Specific Histone Methyltransferase (Smyd1) in Exercise-Induced Cardioprotection against Pathological Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction

Pathological remodeling is the main detrimental complication after myocardial infarction (MI). Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infarcted myocardium may contribute to this process. Adequate exercise training after MI may reduce oxidative stress-induced cardiac tissue damage and remodeling. SET and MYND domain containing 1 (Smyd1) is a muscle-specific histone methyltransferase which is upregulated by resistance training, may strengthen sarcomere assembly and myofiber folding, and may promote skeletal muscles growth and hypertrophy. However, it remains elusive if Smyd1 has similar functions in post-MI cardiac muscle and participates in exercise-induced cardioprotection. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of interval treadmill exercise on cardiac function, ROS generation, Smyd1 expression, and sarcomere assembly of F-actin in normal and infarcted hearts. Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10/group): control (C), exercise alone (EX), sham-operated (S), MI induced by permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (MI), and MI with interval exercise training (MI + EX). Exercise training significantly improved post-MI cardiac function and sarcomere assembly of F-actin. The cardioprotective effects were associated with increased Smyd1, Trx1, cTnI, and α-actinin expression as well as upregulated ratio of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/AMPK, whereas Hsp90, MuRF1, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression, ROS generation, and myocardial fibrosis were attenuated. The improved post-MI cardiac function was associated with increased Smyd1 expression. In cultured H9C2 cardiomyoblasts, in vitro treatment with H₂O₂ (50 µmol/L) or AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist (AICAR, 1 mmol/L) or their combination for 4 h simulated the effects of exercise on levels of ROS and Smyd1. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel role of Smyd1 in association with post-MI exercise-induced cardioprotection. The moderate level of ROS-induced upregulation of Smyd1 may be an important target for modulating post-MI cardiac function and remodeling.

Voluntary exercise and cardiac remodeling in a myocardial infarction model

We investigated the effects of voluntary exercise after myocardial infarction (MI) on cardiac function, remodeling, and inflammation. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following four groups: sedentary + sham (Sed-Sh), sedentary + MI (Sed-MI), exercise + sham (Ex-Sh), and exercise + MI (Ex-MI). MI induction was performed by ligation of the left coronary artery. Exercise consisting of voluntary wheel running started after the operation and continued for 4 weeks. The Ex-MI mice had significantly increased cardiac function compared with the Sed-MI mice. The Ex-MI mice showed significantly reduced expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 in the infarcted area of the left ventricle compared with the Sed-MI mice. In the Ex-MI mice, the expression levels of fibrosis-related genes including collagen I and III were decreased compared to the Sed-MI mice, and the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, follistatin-like 1, fibroblast growth factor 21, and mitochondrial function-related genes were significantly elevated in skeletal muscle compared with the Sed mice. The plasma levels of IL-6 were also significantly elevated in the Ex-MI group compared with the Sed-MI groups. These findings suggest that voluntary exercise after MI may improve in cardiac remodeling associated with anti-inflammatory effects in the myocardium and myokine production in the skeletal muscles.

Novel Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Cardioprotective Factors in Myocardial Infarction

Exercise training has been reported to ameliorate heart dysfunction in both humans and animals after myocardial infarction (MI). Exercise-induced cardioprotective factors have been implicated in mediating cardiac repair under pathological conditions. These protective factors secreted by or enriched in the heart could exert cardioprotective functions in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Extracellular vesicles, especially exosomes, contain key molecules and play an essential role in cell-to-cell communication via delivery of various factors, which may be a novel target to study the mechanism of exercise-induced benefits, besides traditional signaling pathways. This review is designed to demonstrate the function and underlying protective mechanism of exercise-induced cardioprotective factors in MI, with an aim to offer more potential therapeutic targets for MI.

Follistatin-like 1: A dual regulator that promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation and fibrosis

Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a key factor in maintaining cardiac growth and development. It can be activated by exercise training and has a dual role in promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and fibrosis, but its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. To elucidate the dual mechanism and target of FSTL1 regulating of cardiomyocyte proliferation and myocardial fibrosis, and the mechanism by which exercise-regulated FSTL1 improves cardiovascular disease, we explored the signal transduction pathway of FSTL1 promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and fibrosis, and compared the effects of different modes of exercise on the dual role of FSTL1. We believe that the dual role of promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation and fibrosis may be related to the ratio of cardiomyocyte and myocardial interstitial cell proliferation, different stages of the disease, different degrees of fibrosis, immune repair process, and transforming growth factor-β activation. Compared with long-term excessive endurance exercise, moderate resistance exercise can activate cardiomyocyte proliferation pathway through FSTL1, which is one of the effective ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Follistatin-like 1 in Cardiovascular Disease and Inflammation

Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1), a secreted glycoprotein, has been shown to participate in regulating developmental processes and to be involved in states of disease and injury. Spatiotemporal regulation and posttranslational modifications contribute to its specific functions and make it an intriguing candidate to study disease mechanisms and potentially develop new therapies. With cardiovascular diseases as the primary cause of death worldwide, clarification of mechanisms underlying cardiac regeneration and revascularization remains essential. Recent findings on FSTL1 in both acute coronary syndrome and heart failure emphasize its potential as a target for cardiac regenerative therapy. With this review, we aim to shed light on the role of FSTL1 specifically in cardiovascular disease and inflammation.

Secretomics to Discover Regulators in Diseases

Secretory proteins play important roles in the cross-talk of individual functional units, including cells. Since secretory proteins are essential for signal transduction, they are closely related with disease development, including metabolic and neural diseases. In metabolic diseases, adipokines, myokines, and hepatokines are secreted from respective organs under specific environmental conditions, and play roles in glucose homeostasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. In neural diseases, astrocytes and microglia cells secrete cytokines and chemokines that play roles in neurotoxic and neuroprotective responses. Mass spectrometry-based secretome profiling is a powerful strategy to identify and characterize secretory proteins. This strategy involves stepwise processes such as the collection of conditioned medium (CM) containing secretome proteins and concentration of the CM, peptide preparation, mass analysis, database search, and filtering of secretory proteins; each step requires certain conditions to obtain reliable results. Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles has become a new research focus for understanding the additional extracellular functions of intracellular proteins. Here, we provide a review of the insights obtained from secretome analyses with regard to disease mechanisms, and highlight the future prospects of this technology. Continued research in this field is expected to provide valuable information on cell-to-cell communication and uncover new pathological mechanisms.

Identification of differentially expressed genes and preliminary validations in cardiac pathological remodeling induced by transverse aortic constriction

Cardiac remodeling predisposes to heart failure if the burden is unresolved, and heart failure is an important cause of mortality in humans. The aim of the present study was to identify the key genes involved in cardiac pathological remodeling induced by pressure overload. Gene expression profiles of the GSE5500, GSE18224, GSE36074 and GSE56348 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), defined as |log2FC|>1 (FC, fold change) and an adjusted P‑value of <0.05, were screened using the R software with the limma package. Gene ontology enrichment analysis was performed and a protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed. A cardiac remodeling model induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was established. Furthermore, consistent DEGs were further validated using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) analysis, western blotting and immunohistochemistry in the ventricular tissue samples after TAC or sham operation. A total of 24 common DEGs were identified (23 significantly upregulated and 1 downregulated), of which 9 genes had been previously confirmed to be directly involved in cardiac remodeling. Hence, the level of expression of the other 15 genes was detected in subsequent studies via RT‑PCR. Based on the results of the PPI network analysis and RT‑PCR, we further detected the protein levels of Itgbl1 and Asporin, which were consistent with the results of bioinformatics analysis and RT‑PCR. The expression of Itgbl1, Aspn, Fstl1, Mfap5, Col8a1, Ltbp2, Mfap4, Pamr1, Cnksr1, Aqp8, Meox1, Gdf15 and Srpx was found to be upregulated in a mouse model of cardiac remodeling, while that of Retnla was downregulated. Therefore, the present study identified the key genes implicated in cardiac remodeling, aiming to provide new insight into the underlying mechanism.

Effects of Exercise to Improve Cardiovascular Health

Obesity is a complex disease that affects whole body metabolism and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Physical exercise results in numerous health benefits and is an important tool to combat obesity and its co-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease. Exercise prevents both the onset and development of cardiovascular disease and is an important therapeutic tool to improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. Some benefits of exercise include enhanced mitochondrial function, restoration and improvement of vasculature, and the release of myokines from skeletal muscle that preserve or augment cardiovascular function. In this review we will discuss the mechanisms through which exercise promotes cardiovascular health.

Extracellular Vesicles: Delivery Vehicles of Myokines

Movement and regular physical activity are two important factors that help the human body prevent, reduce and treat different chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, sarcopenia, cachexia and cancer. During exercise, several tissues release molecules into the blood stream, and are able to mediate beneficial effects throughout the whole body. In particular, contracting skeletal muscle cells have the capacity to communicate with other organs through the release of humoral factors that play an important role in the mechanisms of adaptation to physical exercise. These muscle-derived factors, today recognized as myokines, act as endocrine and paracrine hormones. Moreover, exercise may stimulate the release of small membranous vesicles into circulation, whose composition is influenced by the same exercise. Combining the two hypotheses, these molecules related to exercise, named exer-kines, might be secreted from muscle cells inside small vesicles (nanovesicles). These could act as messengers in tissue cross talk during physical exercise. Thanks to their ability to deliver useful molecules (such as proteins and miRNA) in both physiological and pathological conditions, extracellular vesicles can be thought of as promising candidates for potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications for several diseases.

An attempt to reverse cardiac lipotoxicity by aerobic interval training in a high-fat diet- and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes rat model

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Aerobic interval training (AIT) has been recommended to patients as a non-pharmacological strategy to manage DM. However, little is known about whether AIT intervention at the onset of DM will reverse the process of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). In this study, we sought to evaluate whether AIT can reverse the process of DCM and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (CON), DCM group (DCM) and AIT intervention group (AIT). A high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) were used to induce diabetes in rats in the DCM group and AIT group. Rats in the AIT group were subjected to an 8-week AIT intervention. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles and insulin levels were measured. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and oil red O staining were used to identify cardiac morphology and lipid accumulation, respectively. Serum BNP levels and cardiac BNP mRNA expression were measured to ensure the safety of the AIT intervention. Free fatty acid (FFA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) concentrations were analysed by enzymatic methods. AMPK, p-AMPK, FOXO1, CD36 and PPARα gene and protein expression were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

AIT intervention significantly reduced rat serum cardiovascular disease risk factors in DCM rats (P < 0.05). The safety of AIT intervention was illustrated by reduced serum BNP levels and cardiac BNP mRNA expression (P < 0.05) after AIT intervention in DCM rats histological analysis and FFA and DAG concentrations revealed that AIT intervention reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets within cardiomyocytes and alleviated cardiac lipotoxicity (P < 0.05). CD36 and PPARα gene and protein expression were elevated in the DCM group, and these increases were reduced by AIT intervention (P < 0.01). The normalized myocardial lipotoxicity was due to increased expression of phosphorylated AMPK and reduced FOXO1 expression after AIT intervention.

CONCLUSION

AIT intervention may alleviate cardiac lipotoxicity and reverse the process of DCM through activation of the AMPK-FOXO1 pathway.

Physiological Responses to Swimming-Induced Exercise in the Adult Zebrafish Regenerating Heart

Exercise promotes a set of physiological responses known to provide long-term health benefits and it can play an important role in cardioprotection. In the present study, we examined cardiac responses to exercise training in the adult zebrafish and in the context of cardiac regeneration. We found that swimming-induced exercise increased cardiomyocyte proliferation and that this response was also found under regenerating conditions, when exercise was performed either prior to and after ventricular cryoinjury (CI). Exercise prior to CI resulted in a mild improvement in cardiac function and lesion recovery over the non-exercise condition. Transcriptomic profiling of regenerating ventricles in cryoinjured fish subjected to exercise identified genes possibly involved in the cardioprotective effects of exercise and that could represent potential targets for heart regeneration strategies. Taken together, our results suggest that exercise constitutes a physiological stimulus that may help promote cardiomyogenic mechanisms of the vertebrate heart through the induction of cardiomyocyte proliferation. The zebrafish exercise model may be useful for investigating the potential cardioprotective effects of exercise in teleost fish and to contribute to further identify and develop novel avenues in basic research to promote heart regeneration.

Follistatin-like protein 1 sustains colon cancer cell growth and survival

Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) is a secreted glycoprotein, which controls several physiological and pathological events. FSTL1 expression is deregulated in many tumors, but its contribution to colon carcinogenesis is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the expression and functional role of FSTL1 in colorectal cancer (CRC). A significant increase of FSTL1 was seen in human CRC as compared to the surrounding non-tumor tissues and this occurred at both RNA and protein level. Knockdown of FSTL1 in CRC cells with a specific antisense oligonucleotide (AS) reduced expression of regulators of the late G1 phase, such as phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein, E2F-1, cyclin E and phospho-cyclin-dependent kinase-2, and promoted accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle thus resulting in diminished cell proliferation. Consistently, recombinant FSTL1 induced proliferation of normal intestinal epithelial cells through an ERK1/2-dependent mechanism. Cell cycle arrest driven by FSTL1 AS in CRC cells was accompanied by activation of caspases and subsequent induction of apoptosis. Moreover, FSTL1 knockdown made CRC cells more susceptible to oxaliplatin and irinotecan-induced death. Data indicate that FSTL1 is over-expressed in human CRC and suggest a role for this protein in favouring intestinal tumorigenesis.

Early Aerobic Exercise Combined with Hydrogen-Rich Saline as Preconditioning Protects Myocardial Injury Induced by Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats

It has been reported that hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) water reduces oxidative stress, and early aerobic exercise (eAE) acts an efficient exercise preconditioning (EP) against cardiac I/R injury. However, whether early aerobic exercise combined with hydrogen-rich saline (eAE-HRS) water can more effectively protect myocardial damage induced by acute myocardial infarction (MI) is still unknown. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of eAE-HRS in preventing MI-induced myocardial damage and explore the possible underlying mechanisms. After Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given a intragastric administration of HRS (1.6 ppm) at a dosage of 10 mL/kg weight daily for 3 weeks and/or the SD rats were performed a eAE program with 3 weeks running training, the left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to induce MI. We assessed the effects of eAE-HRS on myocardial injury and oxidative damage in the MI model of rats and detected the effects of eAE-HRS on the expressions of cardiac OGG1 and Tom40, Tom20, and Tim23. The eAE-HRS increased significantly left ventricular systolic pressure, reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and potentiated + dp/dt_max, -dp/dt_max, heart coefficient and pH after MI injury. The eAE-HRS reduced MI-induced CK-MB level, c-Tnl level, h-FABP level, infarct size. The eAE-HRS enhanced MI-induced levels of the superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity, attenuated MI-induced levels of malondialdehyde and catalase. The eAE-HRS increased expressions of OGG1, Tom20 and Tim23 proteins after MI injury, but not Tom40. The eAE-HRS has the potential to be a novel precautionary measure to protect myocardial injury after MI via partially regulating expressions of antioxidant-related proteins and mitochondrial-associated proteins.

Module Analysis Captures Pancancer Genetically and Epigenetically Deregulated Cancer Driver Genes for Smoking and Antiviral Response

The availability of increasing volumes of multi-omics profiles across many cancers promises to improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying cancer. The main challenge is to integrate these multiple levels of omics profiles and especially to analyze them across many cancers. Here we present AMARETTO, an algorithm that addresses both challenges in three steps. First, AMARETTO identifies potential cancer driver genes through integration of copy number, DNA methylation and gene expression data. Then AMARETTO connects these driver genes with co-expressed target genes that they control, defined as regulatory modules. Thirdly, we connect AMARETTO modules identified from different cancer sites into a pancancer network to identify cancer driver genes. Here we applied AMARETTO in a pancancer study comprising eleven cancer sites and confirmed that AMARETTO captures hallmarks of cancer. We also demonstrated that AMARETTO enables the identification of novel pancancer driver genes. In particular, our analysis led to the identification of pancancer driver genes of smoking-induced cancers and 'antiviral' interferon-modulated innate immune response.

SOFTWARE AVAILABILITY

AMARETTO is available as an R package at https://bitbucket.org/gevaertlab/pancanceramaretto.

TPPU enhanced exercise-induced epoxyeicosatrienoic acid concentrations to exert cardioprotection in mice after myocardial infarction

Exercise training (ET) is a safe and efficacious therapeutic approach for myocardial infarction (MI). Given the numerous benefits of exercise, exercise-induced mediators may be promising treatment targets for MI. C57BL/6 mice were fed 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidine-4-yl) urea (TPPU), a novel soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor (sEHI), to increase epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) levels, for 1 week before undergoing MI surgery. After 1-week recovery, the mice followed a prescribed exercise programme. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were isolated from the mice after 4 weeks of exercise and cultured for 7 days. Angiogenesis around the ischaemic area, EPC functions, and the expression of microRNA-126 (miR-126) and its target gene Spred1 were measured. The results were confirmed in vitro by adding TPPU to EPC culture medium. ET significantly increased serum EET levels and promoted angiogenesis after MI. TPPU enhanced the effects of ET to reduce the infarct area and improve cardiac function after MI. ET increased EPC function and miR-126 expression, which were further enhanced by TPPU, while Spred1 expression was significantly down-regulated. Additionally, the protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (AKT/GSK3β) signalling pathway was activated after the administration of TPPU. EETs are a potential mediator of exercise-induced cardioprotection in mice after MI. TPPU enhances exercise-induced cardiac recovery in mice after MI by increasing EET levels and promoting angiogenesis around the ischaemic area.

Effects of FSTL1 on cell proliferation in breast cancer cell line MDA‑MB‑231 and its brain metastatic variant MDA‑MB‑231‑BR

In the past decades, altered Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) expression has been documented in a variety of cancers, while its functional roles are poorly understood. Particularly in breast cancer, the expression of FSTL1 and its signaling pathway remain to be determined. In the present study, an elevated FSTL1 expression and a supressed cell proliferation were detected in a specific brain metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231-BR (231-BR), compared with its parental cell line MDA-MB-231. However, this protein was hardly detected in the other three breast cancer cell lines. Next, lentiviral vectors encoding FSTL1 or FSTL1 specific shRNAs were used to overexpress or knock down FSTL1 in MDA-MB-231 or 231-BR, respectively (MDA-MB-231^FSTL1 or 231-BR^{sh FSTL1}). Results showed that overexpression of FSTL1 inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, while knockdown of FSTL1 in 231-BR cells promotes cell proliferation, compared with their corresponding control groups. These results were further confirmed in nude mouse xenografts. The tumor volume in 231-BR cell-bearing mice was significantly smaller than that of MDA-MB-231 group, and reduction of tumor volume was detected in MDA-MB-231^FSTL1 cell-bearing mice compared with the control group. Previous studies revealed that TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling pathway was activated in 231-BR and MDA-MB-231^FSTL1 cells, which may contribute to the inhibited cell proliferation. In addition, Smad3 knockdown could restore the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by FSTL1 overexpression in MDA-MB-231^FSTL1 cells, indicating that the anti-proliferative effect of FSTL1 overexpression may be associated with Smad3 involved TGF-β signaling pathway regulation. This study identified FSTL1 as an inhibitor of cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 and 231-BR cell lines, which may provide new insights into the development and management of breast cancer.

Assessed and Emerging Biomarkers in Stroke and Training-Mediated Stroke Recovery: State of the Art

Since the increasing update of the biomolecular scientific literature, biomarkers in stroke have reached an outstanding and remarkable revision in the very recent years. Besides the diagnostic and prognostic role of some inflammatory markers, many further molecules and biological factors have been added to the list, including tissue derived cytokines, growth factor-like molecules, hormones, and microRNAs. The literatures on brain derived growth factor and other neuroimmune mediators, bone-skeletal muscle biomarkers, cellular and immunity biomarkers, and the role of microRNAs in stroke recovery were reviewed. To date, biomarkers represent a possible challenge in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of stroke onset, pathogenesis, and recovery. Many molecules are still under investigation and may become promising and encouraging biomarkers. Experimental and clinical research should increase this list and promote new discoveries in this field, to improve stroke diagnosis and treatment.