Role of Exercise in Vascular Function and Inflammatory Profile in Age-Related Obesity

Exercise protects vascular function by countering senescent cells in older adults

Blood vessels are key conduits for the transport of blood and circulating factors. Abnormalities in blood vessels promote cardiovascular disease (CVD), which has become the most common disease as human lifespans extend. Aging itself is not pathogenic; however, the decline of physiological and biological function owing to aging has been linked to CVD. Although aging is a complex phenomenon that has not been comprehensively investigated, there is accumulating evidence that cellular senescence aggravates various pathological changes associated with aging. Emerging evidence shows that approaches that suppress or eliminate cellular senescence preserve vascular function in aging-related CVD. However, most pharmacological therapies for treating age-related CVD are inefficient. Therefore, effective approaches to treat CVD are urgently required. The benefits of exercise for the cardiovascular system have been well documented in basic research and clinical studies; however, the mechanisms and optimal frequency of exercise for promoting cardiovascular health remain unknown. Accordingly, in this review, we have discussed the changes in senescent endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that occur in the progress of CVD and the roles of physical activity in CVD prevention and treatment.

Association between Elderly Sarcopenia and Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-17: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aging slows down the mechanisms behind skeletal muscle weakening and mobility. Increases in inflammation brought on by aging may contribute to some characteristics of sarcopenia. As a result of population aging worldwide, sarcopenia, an age-related disease, has become a huge burden on both individuals and society as a whole. The study of the morbidity mechanism and available sarcopenia treatments has received more attention. The inflammatory response may be one of the most important methods behind the pathophysiology of sarcopenia in the aged, according to the background of the study. This anti-inflammatory cytokine inhibits the ability of human monocytes and macrophages to induce inflammation as well as the production of cytokines like IL-6. Here, we investigate the association between sarcopenia and interleukin-17 (IL-17), an inflammatory cytokine in the aged. There were 262 subjects aged 61-90 years who were screened for sarcopenia in Hainan General Hospital. The subjects were divided into 45 males and 60 females aged 65-79 years (average age: 72.00 ± 4.31 years). 105 patients without sarcopenia were randomly selected among 157 participants. It included 50 males and 55 females, aged 61-76 years (mean age: 69.10 ± 4.55 years) as per the standard definition of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). The "skeletal muscle index" (SMI), "hand grip strength" (HGS), "gait speed" (GS), "biochemical indexes," "serum IL-17 level," nutritional status, and past medical history of the two groups were evaluated and compared. Compared with the participants without sarcopenia, sarcopenia patients had higher average age; less physical exercise; lower total scores of BMI, pre-ALB, IL-17, and SPPB; and a higher proportion of malnutrition risk (all P < 0.05). By "ROC curve analysis," the best critical point was IL-17 in the growth of sarcopenia. The area that comes under ROC (AUROC) value was 0.627 (95% CI = 0.552, 0.702, P = 0.002). The ideal threshold value for IL-17 to estimate sarcopenia was 18.5 pg/mL. In the unadjusted model, IL-17 was considerably linked to sarcopenia (OR = 1.123, 95% CI = 1.037-1.215, P = 0.004). After the covariate adjustment observed in the complete adjustment model (OR = 1.111, 95% CI = 1.004-1.229, P = 0.002), this significance still exists. The results of this study suggest a strong relationship between sarcopenia and IL-17. This study will look at IL-17's potential to serve as a key sarcopenia indicator. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2200022590.

Effect of Intensity and Duration of Exercise on Gut Microbiota in Humans: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: The gut microbiota might play a part in affecting athletic performance and is of considerable importance to athletes. The aim of this study was to search the recent knowledge of the protagonist played by high-intensity and high-duration aerobic exercise on gut microbiota composition in athletes and how these effects could provide disadvantages in sports performance. (2) Methods: This systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines. An exhaustive bibliographic search in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted considering the articles published in the last 5 years. The selected articles were categorized according to the type of study. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews. (3) Results: Thirteen studies had negative effects of aerobic exercise on intestinal microbiota such as an upsurge in I-FABP, intestinal distress, and changes in the gut microbiota, such as an increase in Prevotella, intestinal permeability and zonulin. In contrast, seven studies observed positive effects of endurance exercise, including an increase in the level of bacteria such as increased microbial diversity and increased intestinal metabolites. (4) Conclusions: A large part of the studies found reported adverse effects on the intestinal microbiota when performing endurance exercises. In studies carried out on athletes, more negative effects on the microbiota were found than in those carried out on non-athletic subjects.

The Harm of Metabolically Healthy Obese and the Effect of Exercise on Their Health Promotion

Obesity and obesity-related diseases [type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer] are becoming more common, which is a major public health concern. Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) has become a type of obesity, accounting for a large proportion of obese people. MHO is still harmful to health. It was discovered that MHO screening criteria could not well reflect health hazards, whereas visceral fat, adiponectin pathway, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and histological indicators at the microlevel could clearly distinguish MHO from health control, and the biological pathways involved in these micro indicators were related to MHO pathogenesis. This review reveals that MHO’s micro metabolic abnormality is the initial cause of the increase of disease risk in the future. Exploring the biological pathway of MHO is important in order to develop an effective mechanism-based preventive and treatment intervention strategy. Exercise can correct the abnormal micro metabolic pathway of MHO, regulate metabolic homeostasis, and enhance metabolic flexibility. It is a supplementary or possible alternative to the traditional healthcare prevention/treatment strategy as well as an important strategy for reducing MHO-related health hazards.

Dysfunction of perivascular adipose tissue in mesenteric artery is restored by aerobic exercise in high-fat diet induced obesity

This study investigated the function of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) on vascular contractility within resistant arteries in high-fat diet induced obese rats after long-term aerobic exercise. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to normal diet control group (N-CTRL), normal diet exercise group (N-EX), high-fat diet control group (H-CTRL), and high-fat diet exercise group (H-EX) (n = 8 in each group). After intervention, adipose tissues morphology was observed. Vasomotor function of mesenteric arteries with or without PVAT were assessed; mesenteric PVAT isolated from each group were transferred to chambers bath with untreated vessels (without PVAT) to evaluate the independent effect. Isolated PVAT was further pre-treated with inhibitor of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), a key hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) enzyme. Results showed that the size of lipid droplet around mesenteric arteries from H-EX was significantly reduced (P < .05); uncoupling protein1 (UCP1) in PVAT from H-EX was enhanced. In N-CTRL, N-EX, and H-EX, vessels without PVAT showed higher sensitivity to serotonin (5-HT) than that with intact PVAT. Vascular tension by 5-HT was significantly reduced in H-EX than H-CTRL (P < .05) in vessels with PVAT. Transferred PVAT from H-EX compared with H-CTRL significantly reduced vascular sensitivity to 5-HT (P < .05), and this effect was eliminated through inhibiting CSE. In summary, the anti-contractile effect of PVAT on resistance artery was impaired in obesity but restored by long-term aerobic exercise. The function of PVAT modified by obesity or by exercise has an independent influence on vascular reactivity, and PVAT derived H2 S may participate in this process.

Molecular mechanisms underlying fructose-induced cardiovascular disease: exercise, metabolic pathways and microRNAs

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? What are the mechanisms underlying the cardiac protective effect of aerobic training in the progression of a high fructose-induced cardiometabolic disease in Wistar rats? What is the main finding and its importance? At the onset of cardiovascular disease, aerobic training activates the p-p70S6K, ERK and IRβ-PI3K-AKT pathways, without changing the miR-126 and miR-195 levels, thereby providing evidence that aerobic training modulates the insulin signalling pathway. These data contribute to the understanding of the molecular cardiac changes that are associated with physiological left ventricular hypertrophy during the development of a cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACT

During the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), disturbances in myocardial vascularization, cell proliferation and protein expression are observed. Aerobic training prevents CVD, but the underlying mechanisms behind left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which aerobic training protects the heart from LV hypertrophy during the onset of fructose-induced cardiometabolic disease. Male Wistar rats were allocated to four groups (n = 8/group): control sedentary (C), control training (CT), fructose sedentary (F) and fructose training (FT). The C and CT groups received drinking water, and the F and FT groups received d-fructose (10% in water). After 2 weeks, the CT and FT rats were assigned to a treadmill training protocol at moderate intensity for 8 weeks (60 min/day, 4 days/week). After 10 weeks, LV morphological remodelling, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, microRNAs and the insulin signalling pathway were investigated. The F group had systemic cardiometabolic alterations, which were normalised by aerobic training. The LV weight increased in the FT group, myocardium vascularisation decreased in the F group, and the cardiomyocyte area increased in the CT, F and FT groups. Regarding protein expression, total insulin receptor β-subunit (IRβ) decreased in the F group; phospho (p)-IRβ and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) increased in the FT group; total-AKT and p-AKT increased in all of the groups; p-p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) protein was higher in the CT group; and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) increased in the CT and FT groups. MiR-126, miR-195 and cardiomyocyte apoptosis did not differ among the groups. Aerobic training activates p-p70S6K and p-ERK, and during the onset of a CVD, it can activate the IRβ-PI3K-AKT pathway.

Obesity-related cognitive impairment: The role of endothelial dysfunction

Obesity is a global pandemic associated with macro- and microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Microvascular endothelial dysfunction has recently emerged as a significant risk factor for the development of cognitive impairment. In this review, we present evidence from clinical and preclinical studies supporting a role for obesity in cognitive impairment. Next, we discuss how obesity-related hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and gut dysbiosis lead to cognitive impairment through induction of endothelial dysfunction and disruption of the blood brain barrier. Finally, we outline the potential clinical utility of dietary interventions, exercise, and bariatric surgery in circumventing the impacts of obesity on cognitive function.