1
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Allwood RP, Papadakis M, Androulakis E. Myocardial Fibrosis in Young and Veteran Athletes: Evidence from a Systematic Review of the Current Literature. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4536. [PMID: 39124802 PMCID: PMC11313657 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Exercise is associated with several cardiac adaptations that can enhance one's cardiac output and allow one to sustain a higher level of oxygen demand for prolonged periods. However, adverse cardiac remodelling, such as myocardial fibrosis, has been identified in athletes engaging in long-term endurance exercise. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is considered the noninvasive gold standard for its detection and quantification. This review seeks to highlight factors that contribute to the development of myocardial fibrosis in athletes and provide insights into the assessment and interpretation of myocardial fibrosis in athletes. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed/Medline database and Google Scholar for publications that assessed myocardial fibrosis in athletes using CMR. Results: A total of 21 studies involving 1642 endurance athletes were included in the analysis, and myocardial fibrosis was found in 378 of 1595 athletes. A higher prevalence was seen in athletes with cardiac remodelling compared to control subjects (23.7 vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001). Similarly, we found that young endurance athletes had a significantly higher prevalence than veteran athletes (27.7 vs. 19.9%, p < 0.001), while male and female athletes were similar (19.7 vs. 16.4%, p = 0.207). Major myocardial fibrosis (nonischaemic and ischaemic patterns) was predominately observed in veteran athletes, particularly in males and infrequently in young athletes. The right ventricular insertion point was the most common fibrosis location, occurring in the majority of female (96%) and young athletes (84%). Myocardial native T1 values were significantly lower in athletes at 1.5 T (p < 0.001) and 3 T (p = 0.004), although they had similar extracellular volume values to those of control groups. Conclusions: The development of myocardial fibrosis in athletes appears to be a multifactorial process, with genetics, hormones, the exercise dose, and an adverse cardiovascular risk profile playing key roles. Major myocardial fibrosis is not a benign finding and warrants a comprehensive evaluation and follow-up regarding potential cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P. Allwood
- Sports Cardiology Department, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK;
| | - Emmanuel Androulakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK;
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2
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Nath LC, Saljic A, Buhl R, Elliott A, La Gerche A, Ye C, Schmidt Royal H, Lundgren Virklund K, Agbaedeng TA, Stent A, Franklin S. Histological evaluation of cardiac remodelling in equine athletes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16709. [PMID: 39030282 PMCID: PMC11271503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67621-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Approximately 1-2 per 100,000 young athletes die from sudden cardiac death (SCD) and extreme exercise may be associated with myocardial scar and arrhythmias. Racehorses have a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and SCD but the presence of myocardial scar and inflammation has not been evaluated. Cardiac tissues from the left (LAA) and right (RAA) atrial appendages, left ventricular anterior (LVAPM) and posterior (LVPPM) papillary muscles, and right side of the interventricular septum (IVS-R) were harvested from racehorses with sudden cardiac death (SCD, n = 16) or other fatal injuries (OFI, n = 17), constituting the athletic group (ATH, n = 33), and compared to sedentary horses (SED, n = 10). Horses in the ATH group had myocyte hypertrophy at all sites; increased fibrosis at all sites other than the LAA; increased fibroblast infiltration but a reduction in the overall extracellular matrix (ECM) volume in the RAA, LVAPM, and IVS-R compared to SED horses. In this horse model, athletic conditioning was associated with myocyte hypertrophy and a reduction in ECM. There was an excess of fibrocyte infiltration and focal fibrosis that was not present in non-athletic horses, raising the possibility of an exercise-induced pro-fibrotic substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Nath
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - A Saljic
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R Buhl
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Elliott
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - A La Gerche
- St Vincents Institute Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - C Ye
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - A Stent
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - S Franklin
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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3
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Maleki F, Mehrabani J. Right ventricular remodeling induced by prolonged excessive endurance exercise is mediated by upregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in rats. Int J Cardiol 2024; 413:132316. [PMID: 38977222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop an animal model to investigate whether prolonged intensive endurance exercise induces RV remodeling, taking into account the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. METHODS Four-week-old male Wistar rats (100 to 125 g) were assigned to four groups (n = 8/group): 1) sixteen weeks of intensive (36 m/min) exercise (INT), 2) twelve weeks of the intensive exercise followed by four weeks of moderate intensity (18 m/min) exercise (INT + MOD), 3) twelve weeks of the intensive exercise followed by four weeks of detraining (INT + DT), and 4) sedentary rats (SED). The exercise protocols were performed five days a week for one h/day. Echocardiography, real-time PCR, western blotting, and histological staining were performed at the end of week sixteen. RESULTS INT rats developed concentric hypertrophy without diastolic dysfunction compared to SED (p = 0.006) and INT + DT (p = 0.035). Wnt1, β-catenin and CyclinD1 proteins in the training groups were significantly higher than SED rats (p < 0.001). Interestingly, INT rats had higher protein levels than INT + DT and INT + MOD (p < 0.001), with higher gene expression compared to SED rats (p < 0.05). There was also a significant increase in collagen deposition in INT rats compared to SED (p = 0.046) and INT + DT (p = 0.034). Furthermore, INT + MOD and INT + DT rats did not show any adverse structural, functional, or histological changes. CONCLUSIONS Long-term intensive endurance training seems to be associated with increased collagen deposition and wall thickness in the RV through Wnt/β-catenin signaling (which is concentration dependent), without changes in diastolic function. CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE Over the past decades, there has been an ongoing debate about whether the structural and functional adaptations of the cardiovascular system in trained endurance athletes are benign physiological responses to training or potentially pathological changes related to disease. While the adaptations of the left heart are well-documented, the remodeling of the right heart remains a subject of discussion. To gain insights into the ability of sustained high-intensity exercise to cause adverse right ventricular (RV) remodeling, we conducted an experimental study in which male rats were trained to run vigorously for 1 h daily over a 16-week period and compared them to a parallel group of sedentary control rats. Our findings revealed that intense long-term exercise induced morphological changes along with fibrosis affecting the RV. These fibrotic changes were a result of the 16-week vigorous exercise training regimen. If these results are confirmed in humans, they suggest that prolonged high-intensity endurance exercise training may lead to adverse cardiac remodeling. Our findings have important potential implications for the assessment of cardiac remodeling in individuals engaged in high-level exercise training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Maleki
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199843653, Iran.
| | - Javad Mehrabani
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199843653, Iran.
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4
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Favere K, Van Hecke M, Eens S, Bosman M, Delputte PL, De Sutter J, Fransen E, Roskams T, Guns PJ, Heidbuchel H. The influence of endurance exercise training on myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmogenesis in a coxsackievirus B3 myocarditis mouse model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12653. [PMID: 38825590 PMCID: PMC11144711 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61874-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonischaemic myocardial fibrosis is associated with cardiac dysfunction, malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In the absence of a specific aetiology, its finding as late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is often attributed to preceding viral myocarditis. Athletes presenting with ventricular arrhythmias often have nonischaemic LGE. Previous studies have demonstrated an adverse effect of exercise on the course of acute viral myocarditis. In this study, we have investigated, for the first time, the impact of endurance training on longer-term outcomes such as myocardial fibrosis and arrhythmogenicity in a murine coxsackievirus B3 (CVB)-induced myocarditis model. Male C57BL/6J mice (n = 72) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of forced treadmill running (EEX) or no exercise (SED). Myocarditis was induced 2 weeks later by a single intraperitoneal injection with CVB, versus vehicle in the controls (PBS). In a separate study, mice (n = 30) were subjected to pretraining for 13 weeks (preEEX), without continuation of exercise during myocarditis. Overall, continuation of exercise resulted in a milder clinical course of viral disease, with less weight loss and better preserved running capacity. CVB-EEX and preEEX-CVB mice tended to have a lower mortality rate. At sacrifice (i.e. 6 weeks after inoculation), the majority of virus was cleared from the heart. Histological assessment demonstrated prominent myocardial inflammatory infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss in both CVB groups. Inflammatory lesions in the CVB-EEX group contained higher numbers of pro-inflammatory cells (iNOS-reactive macrophages and CD8+ T lymphocytes) compared to these in CVB-SED. Treadmill running during myocarditis increased interstitial fibrosis [82.4% (CVB-EEX) vs. 56.3% (CVB-SED); P = 0.049]. Additionally, perivascular and/or interstitial fibrosis with extensive distribution was more likely to occur with exercise [64.7% and 64.7% (CVB-EEX) vs. 50% and 31.3% (CVB-SED); P = 0.048]. There was a numerical, but not significant, increase in the number of scars per cross-section (1.9 vs. 1.2; P = 0.195), with similar scar distribution and histological appearance in CVB-EEX and CVB-SED. In vivo electrophysiology studies did not induce sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, only nonsustained (usually polymorphic) runs. Their cumulative beat count and duration paralleled the increased fibrosis between CVB-EEX and CVB-SED, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.084 for each). Interestingly, in mice that were subjected to pretraining only without continuation of exercise during myocarditis, no differences between pretrained and sedentary mice were observed at sacrifice (i.e. 6 weeks after inoculation and training cessation) with regard to myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, and ventricular arrhythmogenicity. In conclusion, endurance exercise during viral myocarditis modulates the inflammatory process with more pro-inflammatory cells and enhances perivascular and interstitial fibrosis development. The impact on ventricular arrhythmogenesis requires further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Favere
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Manon Van Hecke
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sander Eens
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
- Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Matthias Bosman
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter L Delputte
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan De Sutter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Erik Fransen
- Centre for Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tania Roskams
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Guns
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, GENCOR, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Antwerp, Belgium
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5
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Fitts RH, Wang X, Kwok WM, Camara AKS. Cardiomyocyte Adaptation to Exercise: K+ Channels, Contractility and Ischemic Injury. Int J Sports Med 2024. [PMID: 38648799 DOI: 10.1055/a-2296-7604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and exercise-training (TRN) is known to reduce risk factors and protect the heart from ischemia and reperfusion injury. Though the cardioprotective effects of exercise are well-documented, underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This review highlights recent findings and focuses on cardiac factors with emphasis on K+ channel control of the action potential duration (APD), β-adrenergic and adenosine regulation of cardiomyocyte function, and mitochondrial Ca2+ regulation. TRN-induced prolongation and shortening of the APD at low and high activation rates, respectively, is discussed in the context of a reduced response of the sarcolemma delayed rectifier potassium channel (IK) and increased content and activation of the sarcolemma KATP channel. A proposed mechanism underlying the latter is presented, including the phosphatidylinositol-3kinase/protein kinase B pathway. TRN induced increases in cardiomyocyte contractility and the response to adrenergic agonists are discussed. The TRN-induced protection from reperfusion injury is highlighted by the increased content and activation of the sarcolemma KATP channel and the increased phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β, which aid in preventing mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and mitochondria-triggered apoptosis. Finally, a brief section is presented on the increased incidences of atrial fibrillation associated with age and in life-long exercisers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Fitts
- Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Wai-Meng Kwok
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Amadou K S Camara
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
- Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States
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6
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Chi J, Wu N, Li P, Hu J, Cai H, Lin C, Lai Y, Yang H, Huang J, Li M, Xu L. Hygrothermal stress increases malignant arrhythmias susceptibility by inhibiting the LKB1-AMPK-Cx43 pathway. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5010. [PMID: 38424223 PMCID: PMC10904738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55804-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
High mortality due to hygrothermal stress during heat waves is mostly linked to cardiovascular malfunction, the most serious of which are malignant arrhythmias. However, the mechanism associated with hygrothermal stress leading to malignant arrhythmias remains unclear. The energy metabolism regulated by liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the electrical signaling based on gap junction protein, connexin43 (Cx43), plays important roles in the development of cardiac arrhythmias. In order to investigate whether hygrothermal stress induces arrhythmias via the LKB1-AMPK-Cx43 pathway, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to high temperature and humidity for constructing the hygrothermal stress model. A final choice of 40 °C and 85% humidity was made by pre-exploration based on different gradient environmental conditions with reference to arrhythmia event-inducing stability and risk of sudden death. Then, the incidence of arrhythmic events, as well as the expression, phosphorylation at Ser368, and distribution of Cx43 in the myocardium, were examined. Meanwhile, the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activator, Acadesine, was also administered to investigate the role played by AMPK in the process. Our results showed that hygrothermal stress induced malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and severe atrioventricular block. Besides, hygrothermal stress decreased the phosphorylation of Cx43 at Ser368, induced proarrhythmic redistribution of Cx43 from polar to lateral sides of the cardiomyocytes, and also caused LKB1 and phosphorylated-AMPK expression to be less abundant. While, pretreatment with Acadesine significantly actived the LKB1-AMPK-Cx43 pathway and thus ameliorated malignant arrhythmias, indicating that the hygrothermal stress-induced arrhythmias is associated with the redistribution of gap junctions in cardiomyocytes and the organism's energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Chi
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ningxia Wu
- Graduate School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaman Hu
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Cai
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
- Graduate School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cailong Lin
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Lai
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Han Yang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianyu Huang
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Xu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of Southern Theater Command, Guangzhou, China.
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Guangzhou, China.
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7
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Sommerfeld LC, Holmes AP, Yu TY, O'Shea C, Kavanagh DM, Pike JM, Wright T, Syeda F, Aljehani A, Kew T, Cardoso VR, Kabir SN, Hepburn C, Menon PR, Broadway-Stringer S, O'Reilly M, Witten A, Fortmueller L, Lutz S, Kulle A, Gkoutos GV, Pavlovic D, Arlt W, Lavery GG, Steeds R, Gehmlich K, Stoll M, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. Reduced plakoglobin increases the risk of sodium current defects and atrial conduction abnormalities in response to androgenic anabolic steroid abuse. J Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38345865 DOI: 10.1113/jp284597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are commonly abused by young men. Male sex and increased AAS levels are associated with earlier and more severe manifestation of common cardiac conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, and rare ones, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Clinical observations suggest a potential atrial involvement in ARVC. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is caused by desmosomal gene defects, including reduced plakoglobin expression. Here, we analysed clinical records from 146 ARVC patients to identify that ARVC is more common in males than females. Patients with ARVC also had an increased incidence of atrial arrhythmias and P wave changes. To study desmosomal vulnerability and the effects of AAS on the atria, young adult male mice, heterozygously deficient for plakoglobin (Plako+/- ), and wild type (WT) littermates were chronically exposed to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or placebo. The DHT increased atrial expression of pro-hypertrophic, fibrotic and inflammatory transcripts. In mice with reduced plakoglobin, DHT exaggerated P wave abnormalities, atrial conduction slowing, sodium current depletion, action potential amplitude reduction and the fall in action potential depolarization rate. Super-resolution microscopy revealed a decrease in NaV 1.5 membrane clustering in Plako+/- atrial cardiomyocytes after DHT exposure. In summary, AAS combined with plakoglobin deficiency cause pathological atrial electrical remodelling in young male hearts. Male sex is likely to increase the risk of atrial arrhythmia, particularly in those with desmosomal gene variants. This risk is likely to be exaggerated further by AAS use. KEY POINTS: Androgenic male sex hormones, such as testosterone, might increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which is often caused by desmosomal gene defects (e.g. reduced plakoglobin expression). In this study, we observed a significantly higher proportion of males who had ARVC compared with females, and atrial arrhythmias and P wave changes represented a common observation in advanced ARVC stages. In mice with reduced plakoglobin expression, chronic administration of 5α-dihydrotestosterone led to P wave abnormalities, atrial conduction slowing, sodium current depletion and a decrease in membrane-localized NaV 1.5 clusters. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone, therefore, represents a stimulus aggravating the pro-arrhythmic phenotype in carriers of desmosomal mutations and can affect atrial electrical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Andrew P Holmes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ting Y Yu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research and Training Centre in Physical Sciences for Health, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher O'Shea
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Research and Training Centre in Physical Sciences for Health, Birmingham, UK
| | - Deirdre M Kavanagh
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jeremy M Pike
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Thomas Wright
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Fahima Syeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Areej Aljehani
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tania Kew
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Victor R Cardoso
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - S Nashitha Kabir
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Claire Hepburn
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Priyanka R Menon
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Molly O'Reilly
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anika Witten
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics of the Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa Fortmueller
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Susanne Lutz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kulle
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Georgios V Gkoutos
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- MRC Health Data Research UK (HDR), Midlands Site, UK
| | - Davor Pavlovic
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Wiebke Arlt
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London UK & Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gareth G Lavery
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
| | - Richard Steeds
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Katja Gehmlich
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Monika Stoll
- Genetic Epidemiology, Institute for Human Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics of the Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center, UKE Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Standort Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Margolis G, Cohen O, Roguin A. Vigorous physical activity and atrial fibrillation in healthy individuals: What is the correct approach? Clin Cardiol 2024; 47:e24237. [PMID: 38440948 PMCID: PMC10913085 DOI: 10.1002/clc.24237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Sport activity compared to sedentary life is associated with improved wellbeing and risk reduction in many different health conditions including atrial fibrillation (AF). Vigorous physical activity is associated with increased AF risk. We describe four individuals, who regularly perform endurance sport activity and developed AF. We discuss the changes occurring in the heart of endurance athletes and the possible etiology for AF, as well as currently available treatment options in this seemingly healthy population. Although the etiology of AF in the general population differs from the one in the usually younger endurance sport activity population, the treatment options are similar. There are several factors unique to those involved in vigorous physical activity that can influence their management. Despite a lack of evidence, endurance athletes with AF have traditionally been advised to "de-training," to reduce both the amount and intensity of exercise. Some of the current offered treatment options (beta-blockers, class III antiarrhythmic) have a varied range of adverse effect, hindering them unattractive for these individuals. Depending on risk stratification tools, anticoagulation may be indicated. Some suggest an intermittent dosing therapy, while others recommend following current guidelines. AF ablation is recommended in exercising individuals with recurrent, symptomatic AF and/or in those who do not want drug therapy, given its impact on athletic performance, AF treatment decisions should be individualized for those engaging vigorous physical activity, while considering the potential risks, the urgency of returning to training, and the will and expectations of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Margolis
- Hillel Yaffe Medical CenterCardiology DepartmentHaderaIsrael
- Ruth and Bruc Rappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Oshri Cohen
- Hillel Yaffe Medical CenterCardiology DepartmentHaderaIsrael
- Ruth and Bruc Rappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
| | - Ariel Roguin
- Hillel Yaffe Medical CenterCardiology DepartmentHaderaIsrael
- Ruth and Bruc Rappaport Faculty of MedicineTechnion Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael
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9
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Gorman RA, Yakobov S, Polidovitch N, Debi R, Sanfrancesco VC, Hood DA, Lakin R, Backx PH. The effects of daily dose of intense exercise on cardiac responses and atrial fibrillation. J Physiol 2024; 602:569-596. [PMID: 38319954 DOI: 10.1113/jp285697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia that is strongly associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease and sedentary lifestyles. Despite the benefits of exercise on overall health, AF incidence in high-level endurance athletes rivals that of CV disease patients, suggesting a J-shaped relationship with AF. To investigate the dependence of AF vulnerability on exercise, we varied daily swim durations (120, 180 or 240 min day-1 ) in 7-week-old male CD1 mice. We assessed mice after performing equivalent amounts of cumulative work during swimming (i.e. ∼700 L O2 kg-1 ), as determined from O2 consumption rates (V ̇ O 2 ${\dot V_{{{\mathrm{O}}_2}}}$ ). The meanV ̇ O 2 ${\dot V_{{{\mathrm{O}}_2}}}$ during exercise increased progressively throughout the training period and was indistinguishable between the swim groups. Consistent with similar improvements in aerobic conditioning induced by swimming, skeletal muscle mitochondria content increased (P = 0.027) indistinguishably between exercise groups. Physiological ventricular remodelling, characterized by mild hypertrophy and left ventricular dilatation, was also similar between exercised mice without evidence of ventricular arrhythmia inducibility. By contrast, prolongation of daily swim durations caused progressive and vagal-dependent heart rate reductions (P = 0.008), as well as increased (P = 0.005) AF vulnerability. As expected, vagal inhibition prolonged (P = 0.013) atrial refractoriness, leading to reduced AF vulnerability, although still inducible in the 180 and 240 min swim groups. Accordingly, daily swim dose progressively increased atrial hypertrophy (P = 0.003), fibrosis (P < 0.001) and macrophage accumulation (P = 0.006) without differentially affecting the ventricular tissue properties. Thus, increasing daily exercise duration drives progressively adverse atrial-specific remodelling and vagal-dependent AF vulnerability despite robust and beneficial aerobic conditioning and physiological remodelling of ventricles and skeletal muscle. KEY POINTS: Previous studies have suggested that a J-shaped dose-response relationship exists between physical activity and cardiovascular health outcomes, with moderate exercise providing protection against many cardiovascular disease conditions, whereas chronic endurance exercise can promote atrial fibrillation (AF). We found that AF vulnerability increased alongside elevated atrial hypertrophy, fibrosis and inflammation as daily swim exercise durations in mice were prolonged (i.e. ≥180 min day-1 for 6 weeks). The MET-h week-1 (based on O2 measurements during swimming) needed to induce increased AF vulnerability mirrored the levels linked to AF in athletes. These adverse atria effects associated with excessive daily exercise occurred despite improved aerobic conditioning, skeletal muscle adaptation and physiological ventricular remodelling. We suggest that atrial-specific changes observed with exercise arise from excessive elevations in venous filling pressures during prolonged exercise bouts, which we argue has implications for all AF patients because elevated atrial pressures occur in most cardiovascular disease conditions as well as ageing which are linked to AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée A Gorman
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simona Yakobov
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Ryan Debi
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Victoria C Sanfrancesco
- Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David A Hood
- Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Lakin
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter H Backx
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Muscle Health Research Centre, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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10
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Yáñez-Bisbe L, Moya M, Rodríguez-Sinovas A, Ruiz-Meana M, Inserte J, Tajes M, Batlle M, Guasch E, Mas-Stachurska A, Miró E, Rivas N, Ferreira González I, Garcia-Elias A, Benito B. TRPV4 Channels Promote Pathological, but Not Physiological, Cardiac Remodeling through the Activation of Calcineurin/NFAT and TRPC6. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1541. [PMID: 38338818 PMCID: PMC10855372 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
TRPV4 channels, which respond to mechanical activation by permeating Ca2+ into the cell, may play a pivotal role in cardiac remodeling during cardiac overload. Our study aimed to investigate TRPV4 involvement in pathological and physiological remodeling through Ca2+-dependent signaling. TRPV4 expression was assessed in heart failure (HF) models, induced by isoproterenol infusion or transverse aortic constriction, and in exercise-induced adaptive remodeling models. The impact of genetic TRPV4 inhibition on HF was studied by echocardiography, histology, gene and protein analysis, arrhythmia inducibility, Ca2+ dynamics, calcineurin (CN) activity, and NFAT nuclear translocation. TRPV4 expression exclusively increased in HF models, strongly correlating with fibrosis. Isoproterenol-administered transgenic TRPV4-/- mice did not exhibit HF features. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFb) from TRPV4+/+ animals, compared to TRPV4-/-, displayed significant TRPV4 overexpression, elevated Ca2+ influx, and enhanced CN/NFATc3 pathway activation. TRPC6 expression paralleled that of TRPV4 in all models, with no increase in TRPV4-/- mice. In cultured CFb, the activation of TRPV4 by GSK1016790A increased TRPC6 expression, which led to enhanced CN/NFATc3 activation through synergistic action of both channels. In conclusion, TRPV4 channels contribute to pathological remodeling by promoting fibrosis and inducing TRPC6 upregulation through the activation of Ca2+-dependent CN/NFATc3 signaling. These results pose TRPV4 as a primary mediator of the pathological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Yáñez-Bisbe
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
| | - Mar Moya
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Sinovas
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marisol Ruiz-Meana
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Inserte
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Tajes
- Bio-Heart Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Montserrat Batlle
- Institute for Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (E.G.); (A.M.-S.)
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Institute for Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (E.G.); (A.M.-S.)
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Clínic, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleksandra Mas-Stachurska
- Institute for Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (M.B.); (E.G.); (A.M.-S.)
- Cardiology Department, Hospital del Mar, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Miró
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
| | - Nuria Rivas
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferreira González
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Garcia-Elias
- Department of Clinical Research, ASCIRES-CETIR Biomedic Group, 08029 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Begoña Benito
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (L.Y.-B.); (A.R.-S.); (M.R.-M.); (J.I.); (E.M.); (I.F.G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Wang Y, Wang Y, Xu D. Effects of different exercise methods and intensities on the incidence and prognosis of atrial fibrillation. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2024:S1050-1738(24)00002-1. [PMID: 38216075 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice, exhibits a higher risk of cardiovascular adverse events. Exercise plays a crucial role in AF prevention, but the effects of different exercise types and doses are inconclusive. This review aims to comprehensively explore the most recent evidence and possible mechanisms of diverse exercise modalities concerning AF incidence and therapeutic outcomes. Multiple studies underscore the efficacy of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in reducing AF incidence and symptom burden, rendering it the currently favored exercise therapy for AF patients. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) shows promise, potentially surpassing MICT, especially in reducing age-related AF susceptibility and improving symptoms and exercise capacity. Conversely, prolonged high-intensity endurance exercise exacerbates AF risk due to excessive exercise volume, with potential mechanisms encompassing irreversible atrial remodeling, heightened inflammation, and increased vagal tone. In summation, MICT is a secure strategy for populations in mitigating the risk associated with AF incidence and secondary cardiovascular events and should be encouraged. Also, it is recommended to initiate large-scale clinical intervention trials encompassing a variety of exercise types to delineate the optimal exercise prescription for cardiovascular patients, including those afflicted with AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yueyang Central Hospital, China
| | - Danyan Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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12
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Javed W, Malhotra A, Swoboda P. Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of athletic myocardial fibrosis; Benign bystander or malignant marker? Int J Cardiol 2024; 394:131382. [PMID: 37741350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of exercise are irrefutable with a well-established dose-dependent relationship between exercise intensity and reduction in cardiovascular disease. Differentiating the physiological adaptation to exercise, termed the "athlete's heart" from cardiomyopathies, has been advanced by the advent of more sophisticated imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Myocardial fibrosis on CMR is a mutual finding amongst seemingly healthy endurance athletes and individuals with cardiomyopathy. As a substrate for arrhythmias, fibrosis is traditionally associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In this article, we discuss the aetiologies, distribution and potential implications of myocardial fibrosis in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Javed
- Department of Biomedical Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Aneil Malhotra
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Swoboda
- Department of Biomedical Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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13
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Zacher J, Filipovic K, Predel G, Schmidt T. Exercise and Atrial Fibrillation: The Dose Makes the Poison? A Narrative Review. Int J Sports Med 2024; 45:17-22. [PMID: 37802082 PMCID: PMC10776210 DOI: 10.1055/a-2152-7628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
"All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison" (Paracelsus, ~ 1538 AD). This well-known quote seems to aptly summarize the current understanding of the interaction between exercise and atrial fibrillation (AF). A host of data strongly suggests that regular exercise has a protective effect against developing AF. A small but well-conducted group of trials also demonstrates beneficial effects of exercise in the treatment of AF. Recently, however, potentially detrimental effects of large volumes of high-intensity exercise on the probability of developing AF have moved into the sports-cardiological focus. This effect is well documented for elite athletes; data regarding the general population is less clear. This review presents the current data regarding the protective, therapeutic and potentially risk-enhancing effects of exercise regarding AF. The authors demonstrate that the benefits are clear and strongly outweigh the potential disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zacher
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Preventative and
Rehabilitative Sports and Performance Medicine, German Sport University Cologne,
Köln, Germany
| | - Karlo Filipovic
- Department of Electrophysiology, University of Cologne, Heart Center,
Uniklinik Köln, Köln, Germany
| | - Georg Predel
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Preventative and
Rehabilitative Sports and Performance Medicine, German Sport University Cologne,
Köln, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Preventative and
Rehabilitative Sports and Performance Medicine, German Sport University Cologne,
Köln, Germany
- Schüchtermann-Klinik Bad Rothenfelde, Bad Rothenfelde,
Germany
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14
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Zilio F, Di Fusco SA, Flori M, Malvezzi Caracciolo D'Aquino M, Pollarolo L, Ingianni N, Lucà F, Riccio C, Gulizia MM, Gabrielli D, Oliva F, Colivicchi F. Physical activity and the heart: from well-established cardiovascular benefits to possible adverse effects. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2024; 34:18-25. [PMID: 35738324 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The favorable effects of physical activity on the cardiovascular system have been well described in scientific literature. Physical activity reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both healthy subjects and in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, different intensity levels of physical activity have a different impact on the cardiovascular system. Some data support the hypothesis of a "physical activity paradox": repetitive exposure to vigorous physical activity may induce biological effects that counteract the benefits of moderate intensity levels of physical activity. In this review, we report the main effects of acute and chronic physical activity on the cardiovascular system and we summarize the biochemical mechanisms that may explain these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Zilio
- Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, APSS, Trento Italy.
| | | | - Marco Flori
- Cardiology Unit, Presidio Ospedaliero Unico Urbino, Urbino, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Pollarolo
- Cardiology Unit, Santo Spirito Hospital, Casale Monferrato, Italy
| | - Nadia Ingianni
- Cardiologo ASP Trapani Distretti Marsala e Castelvetrano, Marsala, Italy
| | - Fabiana Lucà
- Division of Cardiology, Big Metropolitan Hospital, Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Carmine Riccio
- UOSD "Follow up del paziente post acuto", Dipartimento Cardiovascolare, Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano, Caserta, Italy
| | - Michele Massimo Gulizia
- Cardiology Division, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, Catania, Italy; ANMCO Heart Care Foundation, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Gabrielli
- Cardiology/CCU Unit, Cardiovascular Department, San Camillo Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Oliva
- De Gasperis Cardio Center, Niguarda Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Furio Colivicchi
- Clinical and Rehabilitation Cardiology Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy
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15
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You ZL, Ding ZL, Ruan QY, Fu LY. Myocardial Injury in Rats Exposed to High-Intensity Exercise Evaluated by 2-D Speckle Tracking Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:2446-2450. [PMID: 37689531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the work described here was to evaluate strain and morphological change of the left ventricle in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats at different exercise intensities by 2-D speckle tracking imaging (STI). METHODS Seventy-two 8-wk-old SD rats were divided into four groups on the basis of exercise intensity: sedentary (SED), low-intensity running, medium-intensity running (MIR) and high-intensity running (HIR). Each group was further sub-divided into three groups of different exercise lengths: 1, 4 and 8 wk. The structural measurements of the left ventricle and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were obtained by echocardiography. Systolic peak values of global longitudinal, circumferential and radial strains (GLS, GCS and GRS) were obtained. Histopathological results of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of myocardial cells, collagen volume fraction (CVF) of the myocardium and perivascular collagen area (PVCA) were also observed. RESULTS Structural measurements of the left ventricle and LVEF did not change with different exercise intensities or lengths. GLS of the HIR8 wk sub-group was significantly lower than those of the SED8 wk and MIR8 wk sub-groups. Conversely, the GLS and GCS of the HIR8 wk sub-group were lower than those of the HIR1 wk and HIR4 wk sub-groups. Histopathologically, the CSA of myocardial cells significantly increased across all HIR sub-groups and the MIR4 wk and MIR8 wk sub-groups. CVFendo and PVCA were also significantly increased in the HIR4 wk and HIR8 wk sub-groups. The HIR8 wk group also had regional swelling and ill-defined boundaries of myocardial cells. CONCLUSION Prolonged, high-intensity exercise may lead to exercise-induced injury of the myocardium. Two-dimensional STI can be used as a non-invasive early detection method for exercise-induced injury of myocardial function, compared with LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ling You
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhi-Lin Ding
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Qin-Yun Ruan
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Li-Yun Fu
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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16
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Jiang J, Ni L, Zhang X, Chatterjee E, Lehmann HI, Li G, Xiao J. Keeping the Heart Healthy: The Role of Exercise in Cardiac Repair and Regeneration. Antioxid Redox Signal 2023; 39:1088-1107. [PMID: 37132606 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Heart failure is often accompanied by a decrease in the number of cardiomyocytes. Although the adult mammalian hearts have limited regenerative capacity, the rate of regeneration is extremely low and decreases with age. Exercise is an effective means to improve cardiovascular function and prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of how exercise acts on cardiomyocytes are still not fully elucidated. Therefore, it is important to explore the role of exercise in cardiomyocytes and cardiac regeneration. Recent Advances: Recent advances have shown that the effects of exercise on cardiomyocytes are critical for cardiac repair and regeneration. Exercise can induce cardiomyocyte growth by increasing the size and number. It can induce physiological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and promote cardiomyocyte proliferation. In this review, we have discussed the molecular mechanisms and recent studies of exercise-induced cardiac regeneration, with a focus on its effects on cardiomyocytes. Critical Issues: There is no effective way to promote cardiac regeneration. Moderate exercise can keep the heart healthy by encouraging adult cardiomyocytes to survive and regenerate. Therefore, exercise could be a promising tool for stimulating the regenerative capability of the heart and keeping the heart healthy. Future Directions: Although exercise is an important measure to promote cardiomyocyte growth and subsequent cardiac regeneration, more studies are needed on how to do beneficial exercise and what factors are involved in cardiac repair and regeneration. Thus, it is important to clarify the mechanisms, pathways, and other critical factors involved in the exercise-mediated cardiac repair and regeneration. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 1088-1107.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizong Jiang
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Geriatrics (Shanghai University), Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingyan Ni
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Geriatrics (Shanghai University), Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Geriatrics (Shanghai University), Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Emeli Chatterjee
- Cardiovascular Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - H Immo Lehmann
- Cardiovascular Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guoping Li
- Cardiovascular Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Junjie Xiao
- Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Geriatrics (Shanghai University), Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Nantong, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Zhang Y, Zhang K, Prakosa A, James C, Zimmerman SL, Carrick R, Sung E, Gasperetti A, Tichnell C, Murray B, Calkins H, Trayanova NA. Predicting ventricular tachycardia circuits in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy using genotype-specific heart digital twins. eLife 2023; 12:RP88865. [PMID: 37851708 PMCID: PMC10584370 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic cardiac disease that leads to ventricular tachycardia (VT), a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Treating ARVC remains challenging due to the complex underlying arrhythmogenic mechanisms, which involve structural and electrophysiological (EP) remodeling. Here, we developed a novel genotype-specific heart digital twin (Geno-DT) approach to investigate the role of pathophysiological remodeling in sustaining VT reentrant circuits and to predict the VT circuits in ARVC patients of different genotypes. This approach integrates the patient's disease-induced structural remodeling reconstructed from contrast-enhanced magnetic-resonance imaging and genotype-specific cellular EP properties. In our retrospective study of 16 ARVC patients with two genotypes: plakophilin-2 (PKP2, n = 8) and gene-elusive (GE, n = 8), we found that Geno-DT accurately and non-invasively predicted the VT circuit locations for both genotypes (with 100%, 94%, 96% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for GE patient group, and 86%, 90%, 89% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for PKP2 patient group), when compared to VT circuit locations identified during clinical EP studies. Moreover, our results revealed that the underlying VT mechanisms differ among ARVC genotypes. We determined that in GE patients, fibrotic remodeling is the primary contributor to VT circuits, while in PKP2 patients, slowed conduction velocity and altered restitution properties of cardiac tissue, in addition to the structural substrate, are directly responsible for the formation of VT circuits. Our novel Geno-DT approach has the potential to augment therapeutic precision in the clinical setting and lead to more personalized treatment strategies in ARVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingnan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Kelly Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Adityo Prakosa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Cynthia James
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUnited States
| | | | - Richard Carrick
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Eric Sung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Alessio Gasperetti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Crystal Tichnell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brittney Murray
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Natalia A Trayanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
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18
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Elliott AD, Ariyaratnam J, Howden EJ, La Gerche A, Sanders P. Influence of exercise training on the left atrium: implications for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H822-H836. [PMID: 37505470 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00322.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The left atrium (LA) plays a critical role in receiving pulmonary venous return and modulating left ventricular (LV) filling. With the onset of exercise, LA function contributes to the augmentation in stroke volume. Due to the growing focus on atrial imaging, there is now evidence that structural remodeling and dysfunction of the LA is associated with adverse outcomes including incident cardiovascular disease. In patients with established disease, pathological changes in atrial structure and function are associated with exercise intolerance, increased hospital admissions and mortality, independent of left ventricular function. Exercise training is widely recommended in patients with cardiovascular disease to improve patient outcomes and maintain functional capacity. There are widely documented changes in LV function with exercise, yet less attention has been given to the LA. In this review, we first describe LA physiology at rest and during exercise, before exploring its association with cardiac disease outcomes including atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke. The adaptation of the LA to short- and longer-term exercise training is evaluated through review of longitudinal studies of exercise training in healthy participants free of cardiovascular disease and athletes. We then consider the changes in LA structure and function among patients with established disease, where adverse atrial remodeling may be implicated in the disease process. Finally, we consider important future directions for assessment of atrial structure and function using novel imaging modalities, in response to acute and chronic exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian D Elliott
- Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jonathan Ariyaratnam
- Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Erin J Howden
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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19
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Arbelo E, Protonotarios A, Gimeno JR, Arbustini E, Barriales-Villa R, Basso C, Bezzina CR, Biagini E, Blom NA, de Boer RA, De Winter T, Elliott PM, Flather M, Garcia-Pavia P, Haugaa KH, Ingles J, Jurcut RO, Klaassen S, Limongelli G, Loeys B, Mogensen J, Olivotto I, Pantazis A, Sharma S, Van Tintelen JP, Ware JS, Kaski JP. 2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiomyopathies. Eur Heart J 2023; 44:3503-3626. [PMID: 37622657 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 316] [Impact Index Per Article: 316.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
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20
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Farooq M, Brown LAE, Fitzpatrick A, Broadbent DA, Wahab A, Klassen JRL, Farley J, Saunderson CED, Das A, Craven T, Dall'Armellina E, Levelt E, Xue H, Kellman P, Greenwood JP, Plein S, Swoboda PP. Identification of non-ischaemic fibrosis in male veteran endurance athletes, mechanisms and association with premature ventricular beats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14640. [PMID: 37669972 PMCID: PMC10480152 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Left ventricular fibrosis can be identified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in some veteran athletes. We aimed to investigate prevalence of ventricular fibrosis in veteran athletes and associations with cardiac arrhythmia. 50 asymptomatic male endurance athletes were recruited. They underwent CMR imaging including volumetric analysis, bright blood (BB) and dark blood (DB) LGE, motion corrected (MOCO) quantitative stress and rest perfusion and T1/T2/extracellular volume mapping. Athletes underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and 24-h ECG. Myocardial fibrosis was identified in 24/50 (48%) athletes. All fibrosis was mid-myocardial in the basal-lateral left ventricular wall. Blood pressure was reduced in athletes without fibrosis compared to controls, but not athletes with fibrosis. Fibrotic areas had longer T2 time (44 ± 4 vs. 40 ± 2 ms, p < 0.0001) and lower rest myocardial blood flow (MBF, 0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 ml/g/min, p < 0.0001). On 24-h ECG, athletes with fibrosis had greater burden of premature ventricular beats (0.3 ± 0.6 vs. 0.05 ± 0.2%, p = 0.03), with higher prevalence of ventricular couplets and triplets (33 vs. 8%, p = 0.02). In veteran endurance athletes, myocardial fibrosis is common and associated with an increased burden of ventricular ectopy. Possible mechanisms include inflammation and blood pressure. Further studies are needed to establish whether fibrosis increases risk of malignant arrhythmic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryum Farooq
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Louise A E Brown
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Andrew Fitzpatrick
- Cardiac Investigations Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - David A Broadbent
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Ali Wahab
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Joel R L Klassen
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jonathan Farley
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Christopher E D Saunderson
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Arka Das
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Thomas Craven
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Erica Dall'Armellina
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Eylem Levelt
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hui Xue
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter Kellman
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John P Greenwood
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Sven Plein
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Peter P Swoboda
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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21
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Zhang Y, Zhang K, Prakosa A, James C, Zimmerman SL, Carrick R, Sung E, Gasperetti A, Tichnell C, Murray B, Calkins H, Trayanova N. Predicting Ventricular Tachycardia Circuits in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy using Genotype-specific Heart Digital Twins. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.31.23290587. [PMID: 37398074 PMCID: PMC10312861 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.31.23290587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic cardiac disease that leads to ventricular tachycardia (VT), a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Treating ARVC remains challenging due to the complex underlying arrhythmogenic mechanisms, which involve structural and electrophysiological (EP) remodeling. Here, we developed a novel genotype-specific heart digital twin (Geno-DT) approach to investigate the role of pathophysiological remodeling in sustaining VT reentrant circuits and to predict the VT circuits in ARVC patients of different genotypes. This approach integrates the patient's disease-induced structural remodeling reconstructed from contrast-enhanced magnetic-resonance imaging and genotype-specific cellular EP properties. In our retrospective study of 16 ARVC patients with two genotypes: plakophilin-2 (PKP2, n = 8) and gene-elusive (GE, n = 8), we found that Geno-DT accurately and non-invasively predicted the VT circuit locations for both genotypes (with 100%, 94%, 96% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for GE patient group, and 86%, 90%, 89% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for PKP2 patient group), when compared to VT circuit locations identified during clinical EP studies. Moreover, our results revealed that the underlying VT mechanisms differ among ARVC genotypes. We determined that in GE patients, fibrotic remodeling is the primary contributor to VT circuits, while in PKP2 patients, slowed conduction velocity and altered restitution properties of cardiac tissue, in addition to the structural substrate, are directly responsible for the formation of VT circuits. Our novel Geno-DT approach has the potential to augment therapeutic precision in the clinical setting and lead to more personalized treatment strategies in ARVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingnan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelly Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adityo Prakosa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cynthia James
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stefan L Zimmerman
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard Carrick
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric Sung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alessio Gasperetti
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Crystal Tichnell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brittney Murray
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hugh Calkins
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Natalia Trayanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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22
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Meza-Ramos A, Alcarraz A, Lazo-Rodriguez M, Sangüesa G, Banon-Maneus E, Rovira J, Ramirez-Bajo MJ, Sitges M, Mont L, Ventura-Aguiar P, Batlle M, Guasch E. High-Intensity Exercise Promotes Deleterious Cardiovascular Remodeling in a High-Cardiovascular-Risk Model: A Role for Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1462. [PMID: 37508000 PMCID: PMC10376780 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12071462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the benefits of moderate exercise in patients at high cardiovascular risk are well established, the effects of strenuous exercise remain unknown. We aimed to study the impact of strenuous exercise in a very high cardiovascular risk model. Nephrectomized aged Zucker obese rats were trained at a moderate (MOD) or high (INT) intensity or were kept sedentary (SED) for 10 weeks. Subsequently, echocardiography and ex vivo vascular reactivity assays were performed, and blood, aortas, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), and left ventricles (LVs) were harvested. An improved risk profile consisting of decreased body weight and improved response to a glucose tolerance test was noted in the trained groups. Vascular reactivity experiments in the descending thoracic aorta demonstrated increased endothelial NO release in the MOD group but not in the INT group, compared with SED; the free radical scavenger TEMPOL improved endothelial function in INT rats to a similar level as MOD. An imbalance in the expression of oxidative stress-related genes toward a pro-oxidant environment was observed in the PVAT of INT rats. In the heart, INT training promoted eccentric hypertrophy and a mild reduction in ejection fraction. Obesity was associated with LV fibrosis and a transition toward β-myosin heavy chain and the N2Ba titin isoform. Exercise reverted the myosin imbalance, but only MOD reduced the predominance of the N2Ba titin isoform. In conclusion, moderate exercise yields the most intense cardiovascular benefits in a high-cardiovascular-risk animal model, while intense training partially reverts them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Meza-Ramos
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Medicine Department, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT), Ciudad de México 03940, Mexico
| | - Anna Alcarraz
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Medicine Department, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Lazo-Rodriguez
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Sangüesa
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisenda Banon-Maneus
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Rovira
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Ramirez-Bajo
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sitges
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Medicine Department, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Institute, Clínic Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lluís Mont
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Medicine Department, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Institute, Clínic Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Ventura-Aguiar
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Laboratori Experimental de Nefrologia i Trasplantament (LENIT), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation, Clínic Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Batlle
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Medicine Department, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Institute, Clínic Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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23
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Pallikadavath S, Richards C, Bountziouka V, Sandilands AJ, Graham-Brown MPM, Robinson T, Singh A, McCann GP. The AFLETES Study: Atrial Fibrillation in Veteran Athletes and the Risk of Stroke. Clin J Sport Med 2023; 33:209-216. [PMID: 37042823 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Endurance athletes are at an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) when compared with the general population. However, the risk of stroke in athletes with AF is unknown. DESIGN AND SETTING We aimed to assess this risk using an international online survey. PATIENTS Individuals that had competed in ≥1 competitive events and were ≥40 years old were included. INTERVENTIONS Self-reported demographic, medical history, and training history data were collected, and a CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc was calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Binary logistic regression was used to assess variables associated with AF and stroke. RESULTS There were 1002 responses from participants in 41 countries across Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North and South America, and 942 were included in the final analysis. The average age was 52.4 ± 8.5 years, and 84% were male. The most common sports were cycling (n = 677, 72%), running (n = 558, 59%), and triathlon (n = 245, 26%). There were 190 (20%) individuals who reported AF and 26 individuals (3%) who reported stroke; of which, 14 (54%) had AF. Lifetime exercise dose [odds ratio (OR), 1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI),1.00-1.03, P = 0.02] and swimming (OR, 1.56, 95% CI, 1.02-2.39, P = 0.04) were associated with AF in multivariable analysis, independent of other risk factors. Atrial fibrillation was associated with stroke (OR, 4.18, 95% CI, 1.80-9.72, P < 0.01), even in individuals with a low (0/1) CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score (OR, 4.20, 95% CI, 1.83-9.66, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This survey provides early evidence that veteran endurance athletes who develop AF may be at an increased risk of developing stroke, even in those deemed to be at low risk by CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susil Pallikadavath
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester and the National Institute of Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom
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24
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Junianto I, Soesanto AM, Radi B, Yonas E, Kuncoro AS, Atmadikoesoemah CA, Sakti DDA. The Influence of Special Military Training on Left Ventricular Adaptation to Exercise in Elite Air Force Soldiers. J Cardiovasc Echogr 2023; 33:69-75. [PMID: 37772047 PMCID: PMC10529291 DOI: 10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_67_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to observe the influence of level physical training intensity on left ventricular (LV) adaptation in elite air force soldiers compared to regular basic military training. Methods The LV adaptation of special military physical training for elite air force soldiers was compared with basic military training for regular troops. A group of the nonmilitary subject was also evaluated as a control group. The presence of LV adaptation was evaluated using some echocardiography parameters, including LV mass index (LVMI), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and myocardial work index. The parameters of the myocardial work index include global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), global work index (GWI), and global work efficiency (GWE). Results Forty-three elite air force soldiers underwent special military training, 43 regular troops underwent basic military training, and 23 nonmilitary subjects as a control group. Age, heart rate, blood pressure, and Cooper test results significantly differed among the three groups. Multivariate analysis among all groups showed that the level of physical training was associated with the LVMI (coefficient β = 6.061; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.91-10.22; P = 0.005), LVEF (coefficient β = -1.409; 95% CI = -2.41-[-0.41]; P = 0.006), LVGLS (coefficient β = 1.726; 95% CI = 1.20-2.25; P < 0.001), GWW (coefficient β = -13.875; 95% CI = -20.88-[-6.87]; P < 0.001), GWE (coefficient β = 0.954; 95% CI = 0.62-1.26; P < 0.001), GCW (coefficient β = 176.128; 95% CI = 121.16-231.10; P < 0.001), and GWI (coefficient β = 196.494; 95% CI = 144.61-248.38; P < 0.001). Conclusions Higher intensity of physical training observed in a special military training is associated with higher LV GLS, GWE, GCW, GWI, and lower GWW value suggesting greater physiological adaptation than the lower intensity training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwan Junianto
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Amiliana Mardiani Soesanto
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Basuni Radi
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Emir Yonas
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Yarsi, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ario Soeryo Kuncoro
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Celly Anantaria Atmadikoesoemah
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Damba Dwisepto Aulia Sakti
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
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25
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Assessment of P Wave Indices in Healthy Standardbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061070. [PMID: 36978611 PMCID: PMC10044338 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
P wave indices are used as non-invasive electrocardiographic markers of atrial remodelling in humans. Few studies have investigated their use in animals. The aim of this study was to measure P wave duration and P wave dispersion (Pd) in healthy standardbred horses and investigate variables that might influence these measurements. A 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded at rest and P wave indices were calculated in 53 horses. A general linear model was used to investigate the main effects: age, bodyweight, sex, resting heart rate, presence of a murmur, exercise status and the number of years raced. There were significant associations with exercise status for both the maximum P wave duration and Pd, with both values being increased in strenuously exercising versus non-active horses. Furthermore, a significant moderate positive correlation was identified between the duration of exercise (number of years raced) and both Pmax and Pd. No other significant associations were identified. These findings are similar to those reported in elite human athletes versus sedentary individuals. The increases in these P wave indices most likely occur due to prolongation and heterogeneity in atrial conduction time, which are associated with structural and electrical remodelling, and may explain the increased risk of atrial fibrillation in athletic horses.
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Polyák A, Topal L, Zombori-Tóth N, Tóth N, Prorok J, Kohajda Z, Déri S, Demeter-Haludka V, Hegyi P, Venglovecz V, Ágoston G, Husti Z, Gazdag P, Szlovák J, Árpádffy-Lovas T, Naveed M, Sarusi A, Jost N, Virág L, Nagy N, Baczkó I, Farkas AS, Varró A. Cardiac electrophysiological remodeling associated with enhanced arrhythmia susceptibility in a canine model of elite exercise. eLife 2023; 12:80710. [PMID: 36815557 PMCID: PMC10014074 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The health benefits of regular physical exercise are well known. Even so, there is increasing evidence that the exercise regimes of elite athletes can evoke cardiac arrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation and even sudden cardiac death (SCD). The mechanism of exercise-induced arrhythmia and SCD is poorly understood. Here, we show that chronic training in a canine model (12 sedentary and 12 trained dogs) that mimics the regime of elite athletes induces electrophysiological remodeling (measured by ECG, patch-clamp, and immunocytochemical techniques) resulting in increases of both the trigger and the substrate for ventricular arrhythmias. Thus, 4 months sustained training lengthened ventricular repolarization (QTc: 237.1±3.4 ms vs. 213.6±2.8 ms, n=12; APD90: 472.8±29.6 ms vs. 370.1±32.7 ms, n=29 vs. 25), decreased transient outward potassium current (6.4±0.5 pA/pF vs. 8.8±0.9 pA/pF at 50 mV, n=54 vs. 42), and increased the short-term variability of repolarization (29.5±3.8 ms vs. 17.5±4.0 ms, n=27 vs. 18). Left ventricular fibrosis and HCN4 protein expression were also enhanced. These changes were associated with enhanced ectopic activity (number of escape beats from 0/hr to 29.7±20.3/hr) in vivo and arrhythmia susceptibility (elicited ventricular fibrillation: 3 of 10 sedentary dogs vs. 6 of 10 trained dogs). Our findings provide in vivo, cellular electrophysiological and molecular biological evidence for the enhanced susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia in an experimental large animal model of endurance training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Polyák
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Leila Topal
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Noémi Zombori-Tóth
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Noémi Tóth
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - János Prorok
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research NetworkSzegedHungary
| | - Zsófia Kohajda
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research NetworkSzegedHungary
| | - Szilvia Déri
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | | | - Péter Hegyi
- Centre for Translational Medicine and Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Semmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of PécsPécsHungary
- Translational Pancreatology Research Group, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence for Research Development and Innovation, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Viktória Venglovecz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Gergely Ágoston
- Institute of Family Medicine, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Zoltán Husti
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Péter Gazdag
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Jozefina Szlovák
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Tamás Árpádffy-Lovas
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Muhammad Naveed
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Annamária Sarusi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Norbert Jost
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research NetworkSzegedHungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - László Virág
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Norbert Nagy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research NetworkSzegedHungary
| | - István Baczkó
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - Attila S Farkas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology ward, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
| | - András Varró
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research NetworkSzegedHungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of SzegedSzegedHungary
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Hu J, Zhou S, Ryu S, Adams K, Gao Z. Effects of Long-Term Endurance Exercise on Cardiac Morphology, Function, and Injury Indicators among Amateur Marathon Runners. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2600. [PMID: 36767963 PMCID: PMC9916084 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term endurance exercise on cardiac morphology and function, as well as injury indicators, among amateur marathon runners. We recruited 33 amateur runners who participated in a marathon. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups according to their National Athletic Grade. The experimental group included participants with a National Athletic Grade of 2 or better, and the control group included participants who did not have a National Athletic Grade. Cardiac morphology, function, and injury indicators were assessed before and after the participants' involvement in the Changsha International Marathon. All cardiac morphology and function indicators returned to pre-race levels at 24 h post-race, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular end-systolic volume indicators showed similar trends. Both stroke volume (SV) and percent fractional shortening (%FS) indicators showed similar trends in changes in the measurements before and after the race. SV showed no change between the pre-race and post-race periods. On the other hand, %FS showed a significant increase in the immediate post-race period, followed by restoration of its level at 24 h post-race. Among myocardial injury indicators, serum levels of cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measured before the race, immediately after the race, and 24 h after the race displayed similar trends in changes among CK, CK-MB, LDH, and AST, while NT-proBNP levels did not change. We concluded that high-level amateur marathon runners had greater heart volumes, as well as wall and septal thicknesses, than low-level marathon runners, with differences in heart volume being the most pronounced. Long-term high-intensity endurance exercise caused some damage to the hearts of amateur runners. High-level runners showed better myocardial repair ability, and their levels of myocardial injury markers showed greater decreases at 24 h post-race, while low-level runners had poorer myocardial repair ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Hu
- School of Physical Education, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421002, China
| | - Songqing Zhou
- School of Physical Education, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421002, China
| | - Suryeon Ryu
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Adams
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Zan Gao
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Alamri AK, Shelburne NJ, Mayeux JD, Brittain E. Pulmonary Hypertension Association's 2022 International Conference Scientific Sessions Overview. Pulm Circ 2023; 13:e12182. [PMID: 36644322 PMCID: PMC9832865 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The considerable progress made in recent years in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment of pulmonary hypertension was highlighted during the most recent edition of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Scientific Sessions, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia from June 9 to 11, 2022, with the theme: Vision for the PHuture: The Evolving Science and Management of PH. Content presented over the 3-day conference focused on scientific and management updates since the last sessions were held in 2018 and included didactic talks, debates, and roundtable discussions across a broad spectrum of topics related to pulmonary hypertension. This article aims to summarize the key messages from each of the session talks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayedh K. Alamri
- Department of MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA,Department of Medicine, College of MedicineNorthern Border UniversityArarSaudi Arabia
| | - Nicholas J. Shelburne
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Jennalyn D. Mayeux
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Evan Brittain
- Division of Cardiovascular MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
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Assessment of hepatic fat content and prediction of myocardial fibrosis in athletes by using proton density fat fraction sequence. LA RADIOLOGIA MEDICA 2023; 128:58-67. [PMID: 36627501 PMCID: PMC9931772 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01571-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the characteristics of the hepatic fat content in athletes, and predict late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) based on magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). MATERIAL AND METHODS From March 2020 to March 2021, 233 amateur athletes and 42 healthy sedentary controls were prospectively recruited. The liver fat content of four regions of interest (ROIs 1-4), the mean liver fat fraction (FF), cardiac function, and myocardium LGE were recorded, respectively. The values of ROIs 1-4 and FF were compared between athletes and controls. According to the liver fat content threshold for distinguishing athletes and controls, the cutoff total exercise time that induced a change in liver fat was obtained. The correlations among the liver fat content, cardiac function, and other parameters were analyzed. Moreover, the liver fat content was used to predict myocardium LGE by logistic regression. RESULTS There were significant differences for the values of ROI 1, ROI 3, ROI 4, and FF between athletes and controls (allp< 0.05). The cutoff total exercise time for inducing a change in the liver fat content was 1680 h (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.593, specificity = 83.3,p< 0.05). Blood indexes, cardiac function, and basic clinical parameters were related to liver fat content (allp< 0.05). The prediction model for LGE had an AUC value of 0.829 for the receiver operator characteristic curve. CONCLUSION MRI-PDFF could assess liver fat content and predict cardiac fibrosis in athletes for risk stratification and follow-up.
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Adukauskaite A, Stühlinger M. [Atrial fibrillation in athletes : Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment]. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2023; 34:39-44. [PMID: 36580091 PMCID: PMC9950188 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-022-00913-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased by an average of approximately 2.5-fold in recreational and elite athletes, depending on the intensity of exercise. It is, however, difficult to determine the exact duration or intensity of exercise that increases the risk of AF. The pathophysiological mechanisms of AF in athletes are a combination of pulmonary vein ectopy as a trigger, myocardial changes such as fibrosis and remodeling processes, and modulators such as changes in the autonomic nervous system. However, gastroesophageal reflux also seems to play an important role. MATERIAL AND METHODS The classic AF diagnosis is performed by means of 12-lead or Holter ECG; arrhythmia recordings via chest belts and pulse watches are not sufficient for the differentiation of the arrhythmia. However, wearables with the capability of ECG recording can also be used for AF screening. The first AF documentation in an athlete should be followed by cessation of physical exercise and initiation of detailed cardiac diagnostics. Thereafter, evaluation of oral anticoagulation is important. Long-term antiarrhythmic therapies are usually not tolerated or desired by athletes. Thus, valuable therapeutic options are either a "pill in the pocket" therapy with antiarrhythmic drugs or catheter ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agne Adukauskaite
- Univ. Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Tirol-Kliniken, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich
| | - Markus Stühlinger
- Univ. Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Tirol-Kliniken, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
- , Innsbruck, Österreich.
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31
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Bizhanov KA, Аbzaliyev KB, Baimbetov AK, Sarsenbayeva AB, Lyan E. Atrial fibrillation: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical complications (literature review). J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2023; 34:153-165. [PMID: 36434795 DOI: 10.1111/jce.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The last three decades have been characterized by an exponential increase in knowledge and advances in the clinical management of atrial fibrillation. The purpose of the study is to provide an overview of the pathogenesis of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and a comprehensive investigation of the epidemiological data associated with various risk factors for atrial fibrillation. The leading research methods are analysis and synthesis, comparison, observation, induction and deduction, and grouping method. Research has shown that old age, male gender, and European descent are important risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation. Other modifiable risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and high blood pressure predisposing to atrial fibrillation, and each has been shown to induce structural and electrical atrial remodeling. Both heart failure and myocardial infarction increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and vice versa creating feedback that increases mortality. The review is a comprehensive study of the epidemiological data linking nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors for atrial fibrillation, and the pathophysiological data supporting the relationship between each risk factor and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. This may be necessary for the practice of the treatment of the cardiac system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenzhebek A Bizhanov
- Department of Health Policy and Organization, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.,Department of Interventional Cardiology and Arrhythmology, National Scientific Center of Surgery named after A.N. Syzganov, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Kuat B Аbzaliyev
- Сonsultative and Diagnostic Center, Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Adil K Baimbetov
- Department of Interventional Cardiology and Arrhythmology, National Scientific Center of Surgery named after A.N. Syzganov, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Akmoldir B Sarsenbayeva
- Department of Interventional Cardiology and Arrhythmology, National Scientific Center of Surgery named after A.N. Syzganov, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Evgeny Lyan
- Cardiovascular Center, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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32
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Anagnostopoulos I, Kousta M, Kossyvakis C, Lakka E, Vrachatis D, Deftereos S, Vassilikos VP, Giannopoulos G. Weekly physical activity and incident atrial fibrillation in females - A dose-response meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol 2023; 370:191-196. [PMID: 36356696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For years, physical activity (PA) has been considered a mixed blessing in terms of the risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous analyses have had equivocal results regarding the cut-off of PA level beyond which AF risk increases, if such a limit really does exist. Data regarding females in particular have been scarce. METHODS We performed a dose-response meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between weekly PA and the risk for AF in females. Major electronic databases were searched for studies assessing the association between leisure time PA and the risk for incident AF in females from the general population. The linearity of the dose-response curve was assessed using the restricted cubic spline model. RESULTS A total of 15 studies, which involved 1,821,422 females, were included in the final analysis. AF incidence was 3.7%. Dose-response analysis revealed an inverse nonlinear relationship between weekly PA and the risk for incident AF (p for linearity <0.0001). No significant heterogeneity was documented (I2 = 37%). Cautious interpretation is needed for PA exceeding 50 metabolic equivalents of task- hours per week (METs- h/w), due to limited available data for these high levels of PA. CONCLUSION According to this analysis, physicians can safely advise females to perform up to 50METs- h/w of moderate or vigorous PA, to reduce the risk for future AF. Interestingly, significant benefit can be attained even at low levels of regular weekly PA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Kousta
- Cardiology Department, Athens General Hospital "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Lakka
- Cardiology Department, Athens General Hospital "G. Gennimatas", Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vrachatis
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Deftereos
- 2nd Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilios P Vassilikos
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Giannopoulos
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Thompson PD, Eijsvogels TMH, Kim JH. Can the Heart Get an Overuse Sports Injury? NEJM EVIDENCE 2023; 2:EVIDra2200175. [PMID: 38320102 DOI: 10.1056/evidra2200175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Can the Heart Get an Overuse Sports Injury?Recent studies suggest that vigorous endurance exercise increases markers of cardiomyocyte injury and that lifelong endurance exercise may increase myocardial scarring, coronary artery atherosclerosis, AF, and aortic dilatation. This review summarizes the evidence linking these conditions with physical exertion and an approach to their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Thompson
- Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
- University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Thijs M H Eijsvogels
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of Physiology, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jonathan H Kim
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta
- Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Atlanta
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34
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Li S, Ma J, Pang X, Liang Y, Li X, Wang M, Yuan J, Pan Y, Fu Y, Laher I. Time-dependent Effects of Moderate- and High-intensity Exercises on Myocardial Transcriptomics. Int J Sports Med 2022; 43:1214-1225. [PMID: 36063823 DOI: 10.1055/a-1885-4115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The heart is a highly adaptable organ that responds to changes in functional requirements due to exposure to internal and external stimuli. Physical exercise has unique stimulatory effects on the myocardium in both healthy individuals and those with health disorders, where the effects are primarily determined by the intensity and recovery time of exercise. We investigated the time-dependent effects of different exercise intensities on myocardial transcriptional expression in rats. Moderate intensity exercise induced more differentially expressed genes in the myocardium than high intensity exercise, while 16 differentially expressed genes were down-regulated by moderate intensity exercise but up-regulated by high intensity exercise at 12 h post- exercise. Both Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that moderate intensity exercise specifically regulated gene expression related to heart adaptation, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress, while high intensity exercise specifically regulated gene expression related to immunity, inflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, there was increased expression of Tbx5, Casq1, Igsf1, and Ddah1 at all time points after moderate intensity exercise, while there was increased expression of Card9 at all time points after high intensity exercise. Our study provides a better understanding of the intensity dependent effects of physical exercise of the molecular mechanisms of cardiac adaptation to physical exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunchang Li
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiacheng Ma
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoli Pang
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaole Li
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Manda Wang
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinghan Yuan
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanrong Pan
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Fu
- Institute of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ismail Laher
- Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Rodrigues Oliveira SM, Dias E, Girol AP, Silva H, Pereira MDL. Exercise Training and Verbena officinalis L. Affect Pre-Clinical and Histological Parameters. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3115. [PMID: 36432843 PMCID: PMC9699298 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Verbena officinalis L. or vervain is an herbal medicine and dietary supplement used worldwide. It is used for antidepressant and anticonvulsant purposes, as well as to treat inflammatory disorders, skin burns, abrasions, and gastric diseases, among others. Here, we investigated the biochemical, antioxidant, and histopathological effects of vervain against chronic physical stress. Male Wistar rats were submitted to chronic physical training and oral administration of 200 mg/kg of extract for 7 weeks. Control animals were not treated with either stress or vervain. Body weight was monitored during the study. Liver, kidney, spleen, testis, epididymis, heart, skeletal muscle, and brain samples were collected. Blood cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin, and creatinine kinase (CREA), among others, were studied. Glutathione peroxidase (GPox) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) antioxidant activity was analyzed in the blood, liver, and kidney. Testosterone measurements were also performed on whole testis extracts. We found significant weight ratios differences in the epididymis, brain, and heart. Animals submitted to training showed hemorrhagic livers. Kidney histology was affected by both stress and vervain. Cell disruption and vacuolization were observed in the testes and epididymis of animals submitted to stress. Hematological and biochemical markers as CREA, LDH, TP, CKI, URCA, γGT, and glucose revealed statistically significantly differences. Additionally, the activity of glutathione peroxide (GPox) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the blood was also impacted. Both stress and vervain have significant in vivo effects. Infusions of vervain include phenylpropanoids, iridoids, verbenalin, hastatoside, and flavonoids, amongst others, which interact synergistically to produce the preclinical effects reported here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia M. Rodrigues Oliveira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Elsa Dias
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Hospital Center of Baixo Vouga, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Girol
- Padre Albino University Centre, Catanduva 15806-310, São Paulo, Brazil
- Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São José do Rio Preto 15054-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helena Silva
- Department of Biology & CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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36
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Guo YP, Pan SS. Exercise preconditioning improves electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and malignant arrhythmias occurring after exhaustive exercise in rats. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18772. [PMID: 36335157 PMCID: PMC9637115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23466-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise preconditioning (EP) has a good myocardial protective effect. This study explored whether EP improves electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and the occurrence of malignant arrhythmia after exhaustive exercise. A total of 120 male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group (group C), early exercise preconditioning group (group EEP), late exercise preconditioning group (group LEP), exhaustive exercise group (group EE), early exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (group EEP + EE) and late exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (group LEP + EE). Changes in heart rate (HR), ST segment, T wave and QT corrected (QTc) intervals on ECG; hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) staining; and cTnI levels were used to study myocardial injury and the protective effect of EP. Compared with those in group C, the levels of plasma markers of myocardial injury, HBFP staining and ECG in group EE were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with those in group EE, the levels of plasma markers of myocardial injury, HBFP staining and ECG in group EEP + EE and group LEP + EE were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The results suggested that EP improved ECG signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and malignant arrhythmias that occur after exhaustive exercise. The ST segment and T wave could also serve as indexes for evaluating exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial ischemia/hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Pan Guo
- grid.412543.50000 0001 0033 4148School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Shan-Shan Pan
- grid.412543.50000 0001 0033 4148School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 China
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Ping Z, Li J, Sun Y, Zhang X, Wang Z, Cao X. Optimization of exercise preconditioning duration in protecting from exhausted exercise-induced cardiac injury in rats. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2022; 65:290-300. [PMID: 36588355 DOI: 10.4103/0304-4920.365457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of different duration of exercise preconditioning (EP) on protecting from exhaustive exercise-induced cardiac injury (EECI) has been optimized in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: the control group, exhaustive exercise (EE) group, EP 20-min + EE group, EP 40-min + EE group, EP 60-min + EE group and EP 80-min + EE group. The EP groups were subjected to treadmill running at the intensity of 74.0% V̇O2 max. Changes of exercise capacity, cardiac pathology, myocardial enzymology, electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac function, and mitochondrial respiratory function were compared. Compared to the C group, the EE group has shown significant decrease of exercise capacity, elevation of serum N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I) levels, cardiac morphology change, ECG disturbance, cardiac dysfunction and reduction of myocardial mitochondrial respiration function. Compared to the EE group, the EP groups have shown significant elevation of exercise capacity, decrease of serum NT-proBNP and cTn-I, improvement of cardiac function and myocardial mitochondrial electron transfer pathway complex I, II and IV activity. The correlation analyses showed protection of EP was proportional to EP duration from 20-min to 60-min. EE caused cardiac injury. EP could protect from EECI by alleviating myocardial damage, improving cardiac function and mitochondrial ETP complex I, II and IV activity. EP protection was positively correlated to EP duration from 20-min to 60-min with EP intensity fixed at 74.0% V̇O2 max.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Ping
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, The 82nd Group Army Hospital of PLA (252 Hospital of PLA), Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Jinyu Li
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, The 82nd Group Army Hospital of PLA (252 Hospital of PLA), Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yawei Sun
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, The 82nd Group Army Hospital of PLA (252 Hospital of PLA), Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, The 82nd Group Army Hospital of PLA (252 Hospital of PLA), Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Ziwen Wang
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, The 82nd Group Army Hospital of PLA (252 Hospital of PLA), Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Xuebin Cao
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, The 82nd Group Army Hospital of PLA (252 Hospital of PLA), Baoding, Hebei, China
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Graziano F, Juhasz V, Brunetti G, Cipriani A, Szabo L, Merkely B, Corrado D, D’Ascenzi F, Vago H, Zorzi A. May Strenuous Endurance Sports Activity Damage the Cardiovascular System of Healthy Athletes? A Narrative Review. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9100347. [PMID: 36286299 PMCID: PMC9604467 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The positive effects of physical activity are countless, not only on the cardiovascular system but on health in general. However, some studies suggest a U-shape relationship between exercise volume and effects on the cardiovascular system. On the basis of this perspective, moderate-dose exercise would be beneficial compared to a sedentary lifestyle, while very high-dose physical activity would paradoxically be detrimental. We reviewed the available evidence on the potential adverse effects of very intense, prolonged exercise on the cardiovascular system, both acute and chronic, in healthy athletes without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. We found that endurance sports activities may cause reversible electrocardiographic changes, ventricular dysfunction, and troponin elevation with complete recovery within a few days. The theory that repeated bouts of acute stress on the heart may lead to chronic myocardial damage remains to be demonstrated. However, male veteran athletes with a long sports career show an increased prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities such as electrical conduction delay, atrial fibrillation, myocardial fibrosis, and coronary calcifications compared to non-athletes. It must be underlined that the cause-effect relationship between such abnormalities and the exercise and, most importantly, the prognostic relevance of such findings remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Graziano
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Vencel Juhasz
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Giulia Brunetti
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Liliana Szabo
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Béla Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Gaal Jozsef Str. 9-11, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Flavio D’Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Hajnalka Vago
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Gaal Jozsef Str. 9-11, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8212322
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La Gerche A, Wasfy MM, Brosnan MJ, Claessen G, Fatkin D, Heidbuchel H, Baggish AL, Kovacic JC. The Athlete's Heart-Challenges and Controversies: JACC Focus Seminar 4/4. J Am Coll Cardiol 2022; 80:1346-1362. [PMID: 36075838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Regular exercise promotes structural, functional, and electrical remodeling of the heart, often referred to as the "athlete's heart," with intense endurance sports being associated with the greatest degree of cardiac remodeling. However, the extremes of exercise-induced cardiac remodeling are potentially associated with uncommon side effects. Atrial fibrillation is more common among endurance athletes and there is speculation that other arrhythmias may also be more prevalent. It is yet to be determined whether this arrhythmic susceptibility is a result of extreme exercise remodeling, genetic predisposition, or other factors. Gender may have the greatest influence on the cardiac response to exercise, but there has been far too little research directed at understanding differences in the sportsman's vs sportswoman's heart. Here in part 4 of a 4-part seminar series, the controversies and ambiguities regarding the athlete's heart, and in particular, its arrhythmic predisposition, genetic, and gender influences are reviewed in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre La Gerche
- Clinical Research Domain, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; National Centre for Sports Cardiology, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Cardiology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Meagan M Wasfy
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria J Brosnan
- National Centre for Sports Cardiology, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Cardiology Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guido Claessen
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Diane Fatkin
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia; Cardiology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Antwerp University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Antwerp, Belgium; Cardiovascular Sciences, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Aaron L Baggish
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia; Cardiology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
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40
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Topal L, Polyák A, Tóth N, Ágoston G, Bencsik P, Kohajda Z, Prorok J, Déri S, Nagy N, Jost N, Virág L, Farkas AS, Varró A, Baczkó I. Endurance training-induced cardiac remodeling in a guinea pig athlete's heart model. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2022; 100:993-1004. [PMID: 35834825 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2022-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Besides the health benefits of regular exercise, high-level training-above an optimal level-may have adverse effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term vigorous training and its potentially detrimental structural-functional changes in a small animal athlete's heart model. Thirty-eight 4-month-old male guinea pigs were randomized into sedentary and exercised groups. The latter underwent a 15-week-long endurance-training program. To investigate the effects of the intense long-term exercise, in vivo (echocardiography, electrocardiography), ex vivo, and in vitro (histopathology, patch-clamp) measurements were performed. Following the training protocol, the exercised animals exhibited structural left ventricular enlargement and a significantly higher degree of myocardial fibrosis. Furthermore, resting bradycardia accompanied by elevated heart rate variability occurred, representing increased parasympathetic activity in the exercised hearts. The observed prolonged QTc intervals and increased repolarization variability parameters may raise the risk of electrical instability in exercised animals. Complex arrhythmias did not occur in either group, and there were no differences between the groups in ex vivo or cellular electrophysiological experiments. Accordingly, the high parasympathetic activity may promote impaired repolarization in conscious exercised animals. The detected structural-functional changes share similarities with the human athlete's heart; therefore, this model might be useful for investigations on cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Topal
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - A Polyák
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Health Center, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - N Tóth
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - G Ágoston
- Institute of Family Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - P Bencsik
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Zs Kohajda
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - J Prorok
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sz Déri
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - N Nagy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - N Jost
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - L Virág
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - A S Farkas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6725, Hungary
| | - A Varró
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - I Baczkó
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
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41
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Sung DJ, Jeon YK, Choi J, Kim B, Golpasandi S, Park SW, Oh SB, Bae YM. Protective effect of low-intensity treadmill exercise against acetylcholine-calcium chloride-induced atrial fibrillation in mice. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 26:313-323. [PMID: 36039732 PMCID: PMC9437371 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2022.26.5.313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, and it corresponds highly with exercise intensity. Here, we induced AF in mice using acetylcholine (ACh)-CaCl2 for 7 days and aimed to determine the appropriate exercise intensity (no, low, moderate, high) to protect against AF by running the mice at different intensities for 4 weeks before the AF induction by ACh-CaCl2. We examined the AF-induced atrial remodeling using electrocardiogram, patch-clamp, and immunohistochemistry. After the AF induction, heart rate, % increase of heart rate, and heart weight/body weight ratio were significantly higher in all the four AF groups than in the normal control; highest in the high-ex AF and lowest in the low-ex (lower than the no-ex AF), which indicates that low-ex treated the AF. Consistent with these changes, G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ currents, which were induced by ACh, increased in an exercise intensity-dependent manner and were lower in the low-ex AF than the no-ex AF. The peak level of Ca2+ current (at 0 mV) increased also in an exercise intensity-dependent manner and the inactivation time constants were shorter in all AF groups except for the low-ex AF group, in which the time constant was similar to that of the control. Finally, action potential duration was shorter in all the four AF groups than in the normal control; shortest in the high-ex AF and longest in the low-ex AF. Taken together, we conclude that low-intensity exercise protects the heart from AF, whereas high-intensity exercise might exacerbate AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jun Sung
- Department of Sport and Health Studies, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Sports Convergence Institute, Chungju 27478, Korea
- Center for Metabolic Diseases, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Yong-Kyun Jeon
- Department of Physical Education at the Graduate School of Education, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
| | - Jaeil Choi
- Department of Physical Education at the Graduate School of Education, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
| | - Bokyung Kim
- Department of Physiology, KU Open Innovation Center, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Shadi Golpasandi
- Department of Physiology, KU Open Innovation Center, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Sang Woong Park
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, College of Health Sciences, Eulji University, Seongam 13135, Korea
| | - Seung-Bum Oh
- Department of Sport and Health Studies, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Young Min Bae
- Department of Physiology, KU Open Innovation Center, Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Chungju 27478, Korea
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42
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Liu M, Sun M, Li L, Li P, Hou S, Li Z, Sun X, Hua S. Left atrial function in young strength athletes: four-dimensional automatic quantitation study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2022; 38:1929-1937. [PMID: 35254610 PMCID: PMC10509064 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-022-02585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Athletes might suffer from potentially fatal heart disease, which has always been a concern in cardiovascular medicine. The changes in left atrial (LA) size and function are related to the occurrence of arrhythmia. In the present study, four-dimensional automatic quantitation (4D LAQ) was used to explore the changes in LA function of young strength athletes. Eighty professional young strength athletes and sixty healthy young adults matched in age were selected for the study. The LA volumes and strains were automatically analyzed by 4D LAQ. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of strain in athletes' LA function. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the potential association between conventional echocardiographic indexes and 4D parameters related to athletes' LA function. Compared to the control group, LA longitudinal and circumferential strain in the athlete group decreased, while LA volume increased (P < 0.05). However, LA strain was similar among 45 male and 35 female strength athletes (P > 0.05), while male athletes presented with a higher LA volume when compared to female controls (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that LA contraction longitudinal strain (LASct) was the best predictor in evaluating athletes' LA function. Athletes' heart rate and left ventricular mass index were significantly correlated with 4D LA function parameters.4D LAQ can be used for early detection of the changes in LA function in young strength athletes. There was no significant difference in LA strain between male and female athletes. The LASct was the most effective index for evaluating athletes' LA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Mengjiao Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Lijin Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Pengge Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Suyun Hou
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xinxin Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Shaohua Hua
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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Chen H, Chen C, Spanos M, Li G, Lu R, Bei Y, Xiao J. Exercise training maintains cardiovascular health: signaling pathways involved and potential therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:306. [PMID: 36050310 PMCID: PMC9437103 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01153-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise training has been widely recognized as a healthy lifestyle as well as an effective non-drug therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Functional and mechanistic studies that employ animal exercise models as well as observational and interventional cohort studies with human participants, have contributed considerably in delineating the essential signaling pathways by which exercise promotes cardiovascular fitness and health. First, this review summarizes the beneficial impact of exercise on multiple aspects of cardiovascular health. We then discuss in detail the signaling pathways mediating exercise's benefits for cardiovascular health. The exercise-regulated signaling cascades have been shown to confer myocardial protection and drive systemic adaptations. The signaling molecules that are necessary for exercise-induced physiological cardiac hypertrophy have the potential to attenuate myocardial injury and reverse cardiac remodeling. Exercise-regulated noncoding RNAs and their associated signaling pathways are also discussed in detail for their roles and mechanisms in exercise-induced cardioprotective effects. Moreover, we address the exercise-mediated signaling pathways and molecules that can serve as potential therapeutic targets ranging from pharmacological approaches to gene therapies in CVD. We also discuss multiple factors that influence exercise's effect and highlight the importance and need for further investigations regarding the exercise-regulated molecules as therapeutic targets and biomarkers for CVD as well as the cross talk between the heart and other tissues or organs during exercise. We conclude that a deep understanding of the signaling pathways involved in exercise's benefits for cardiovascular health will undoubtedly contribute to the identification and development of novel therapeutic targets and strategies for CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihua Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.,Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Michail Spanos
- Cardiovascular Division of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Guoping Li
- Cardiovascular Division of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Rong Lu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yihua Bei
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China. .,Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Junjie Xiao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China. .,Cardiac Regeneration and Ageing Lab, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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44
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Darden D, Scheinman MM, Hoffmayer KS. Exercise-induced arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: Reverse remodeling with detraining. HeartRhythm Case Rep 2022; 8:599-603. [PMID: 36147714 PMCID: PMC9485656 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Darden
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Douglas Darden, University of California, San Diego, 4592 Medical Center Dr, ACTRI Bldg, 3rd Floor, Room 3E-313, La Jolla, CA 92037.
| | - Melvin M. Scheinman
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Kurt S. Hoffmayer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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45
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Valenzuela PL, Baggish A, Castillo-García A, Santos-Lozano A, Boraita A, Lucia A. Strenuous Endurance Exercise and the Heart: Physiological versus Pathological Adaptations. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:4067-4085. [PMID: 35950659 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although the benefits of regular physical activity on cardiovascular health are well established, the effects of strenuous endurance exercise (SEE) have been a matter of debate since ancient times. In this article, we aim to provide a balanced overview of what is known about SEE and the heart-from epidemiological evidence to recent cardiac imaging findings. Lifelong SEE is overall cardioprotective, with endurance master athletes showing in fact a youthful heart. Yet, some lines of research remain open, such as the need to elucidate the time-course and potential relevance of transient declines in heart function (or increases in biomarkers of cardiac injury) with SEE. The underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance of SEE-associated atrial fibrillation, myocardial fibrosis, or high coronary artery calcium scores also remain to be elucidated. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:1-19, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro L Valenzuela
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrián Castillo-García
- Fissac - Physiology, Health and Physical Activity, Madrid, Spain.,Biology Systems Department, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Santos-Lozano
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain.,i+HeALTH, European University Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Araceli Boraita
- Department of Cardiology, Sports Medicine Center, Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sports, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Qiu X, Zhou J, Xu Y, Liao L, Yang H, Xiang Y, Zhou Z, Sun Q, Chen M, Zhang J, Wu W, Zhu L, You B, He L, Luo Y, Li Z, Li C, Bai Y. Prophylactic exercise-derived circulating exosomal miR-125a-5p promotes endogenous revascularization after hindlimb ischemia by targeting endothelin converting enzyme 1. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:881526. [PMID: 35935623 PMCID: PMC9354753 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.881526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prophylactic exercise improves clinical outcomes in patients experiencing severe ischemic diseases. Previous studies have shown that exercise could alter the amount or content of circulating exosomes. However, little is known about the role of precursory exercise-derived circulating exosomes (Exe-Exo) in ischemic diseases. We therefore aimed to explore the function and mechanism of Exe-Exo in endogenous revascularization and perfusion recovery in peripheral arterial disease. Methods and Results We first determined that 4 weeks of precursory treadmill exercise improved perfusion recovery on days 7, 14 and 21 after unilateral femoral artery ligation (FAL) but had no effect immediately after ligation. Then, local muscle delivery of Exe-Exo promotes arteriogenesis, angiogenesis and perfusion recovery, which could be abolished by GW4869, a well-recognized pharmacological agent inhibiting exosome release. This suggests that Exe-Exo mediated exercise-induced revascularization. In vitro, Exe-Exo enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. In addition, we identified miR-125a-5p as a novel exerkine through exosomal miRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR validation. Inhibition of miR-125a-5p abrogated the beneficial effects of Exe-Exo both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, these exercise-afforded benefits were attributed to the exosomal miR-125a-5p downregulation of ECE1 expression and the subsequent activation of the AKT/eNOS downstream signaling pathway. Specifically, skeletal muscle may be a major tissue source of exercise-induced exosomal miR-125a-5p via fluorescence in situ hybridization. Conclusions Endogenous circulating exosomal miR-125a-5p promotes exercise-induced revascularization via targeting ECE1 and activating AKT/eNOS downstream signaling pathway. Identify exosomal miR-125a-5p as a novel exerkine, and highlight its potential therapeutic role in the prevention and treatment of peripheral arterial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Qiu
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jipeng Zhou
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanying Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Longsheng Liao
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Huijun Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuan Xiang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhengshi Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Animal, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quan Sun
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Minghong Chen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaxiong Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wanzhou Wu
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingping Zhu
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Baiyang You
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lingfang He
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Luo
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chuanchang Li
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Chuanchang Li,
| | - Yongping Bai
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Yongping Bai,
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Mitochondrial mutations alter endurance exercise response and determinants in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200549119. [PMID: 35482926 PMCID: PMC9170171 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200549119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs) are the most prevalent inborn metabolic disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 4,200 individuals. Endurance exercise is generally known to improve mitochondrial function, but its indication in the heterogeneous group of PMDs is unclear. We determined the relationship between mitochondrial mutations, endurance exercise response, and the underlying molecular pathways in mice with distinct mitochondrial mutations. This revealed that mitochondria are crucial regulators of exercise capacity and exercise response. Endurance exercise proved to be mostly beneficial across the different mitochondrial mutant mice with the exception of a worsened dilated cardiomyopathy in ANT1-deficient mice. Thus, therapeutic exercises, especially in patients with PMDs, should take into account the physical and mitochondrial genetic status of the patient. Primary mitochondrial diseases (PMDs) are a heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders that can be caused by hundreds of mutations in both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) genes. Current therapeutic approaches are limited, although one approach has been exercise training. Endurance exercise is known to improve mitochondrial function in heathy subjects and reduce risk for secondary metabolic disorders such as diabetes or neurodegenerative disorders. However, in PMDs the benefit of endurance exercise is unclear, and exercise might be beneficial for some mitochondrial disorders but contraindicated in others. Here we investigate the effect of an endurance exercise regimen in mouse models for PMDs harboring distinct mitochondrial mutations. We show that while an mtDNA ND6 mutation in complex I demonstrated improvement in response to exercise, mice with a CO1 mutation affecting complex IV showed significantly fewer positive effects, and mice with an ND5 complex I mutation did not respond to exercise at all. For mice deficient in the nDNA adenine nucleotide translocase 1 (Ant1), endurance exercise actually worsened the dilated cardiomyopathy. Correlating the gene expression profile of skeletal muscle and heart with the physiologic exercise response identified oxidative phosphorylation, amino acid metabolism, matrisome (extracellular matrix [ECM]) structure, and cell cycle regulation as key pathways in the exercise response. This emphasizes the crucial role of mitochondria in determining the exercise capacity and exercise response. Consequently, the benefit of endurance exercise in PMDs strongly depends on the underlying mutation, although our results suggest a general beneficial effect.
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Dor-Haim H, Horowitz M, Yaakobi E, Katzburg S, Barak S. Intermittent aerobic-resistance interval training versus continues aerobic training: Improvement in cardiac electrophysiologic and anthropometric measures in male patients post myocadiac infarction, a randomized control trial. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267888. [PMID: 35503787 PMCID: PMC9064084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Exercise is a valuable intervention modality for patients post-myocardial infarction (MI). Aerobic and resistance training are both commonly used separately in cardiac rehabilitation. However, the effect of aerobic interval exercise combined with alternating sets of resistance training (super-circuit training, SCT) on cardiac electrophysiologic and anthropometric measures had not been thoroughly investigated. Aim The primary objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of moderate-intensity continuous-aerobic training (CAT) vs. SCT on cardiac electrical measures (resting electrocardiographic, ECG; a nd heart rate variability, HRV) in patients’ post-MI presenting reduced left ventricular function. Second, to examine its effect on anthropometric measures. Material and methods Twenty-nine men post-MI with reduced left ventricular function were assigned randomly to either 12 weeks of CAT (n = 15) or SCT (n = 14). CAT group performed moderate-intensity activity. SCT group performed high-intensity exercise, alternating between resistance and aerobic training. Differences between CAT and SCT groups were done using independent t-tests, paired t-tests and effect size (ES). Results Participants in both groups improved their HRV measures (increase in HFnu; p < 0.05; ES > 0.51) and ECG (reduction in QT-dispersion; p < 0.05; ES > 0.51). Only the SCT group had significant improvements in waist circumference (p < 0.05). Conclusion Exercise improves cardiac electrical measures post-MI. However, in comparison to CAT, SCT may yield greater anthropometric changes. In order to have improvements in cardiac electrical stability, clinicians working with post-MI patients may use both CAT and SCT. However, SCT might result in greater improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horesh Dor-Haim
- O2 Health Promotion and Sports Medicine Department, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Horowitz
- The laboratory of Environmental Physiology Department of Physiology, Faculty of Dentistry Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein Kerem Campus Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eldad Yaakobi
- The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center, Be’er Ya’akov, Israel
| | - Sara Katzburg
- O2 Health Promotion and Sports Medicine Department, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Israel-Canada Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sharon Barak
- Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Kaye Academic College of Education, Beer-Sheba, Israel
- * E-mail:
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49
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Nissen SD, Weis R, Krag-Andersen EK, Hesselkilde EM, Isaksen JL, Carstensen H, Kanters JK, Linz D, Sanders P, Hopster-Iversen C, Jespersen T, Pehrson S, Buhl R. Electrocardiographic characteristics of trained and untrained standardbred racehorses. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:1119-1130. [PMID: 35488721 PMCID: PMC9151491 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long‐term exercise induces cardiac remodeling that potentially influences the electrical properties of the heart. Hypothesis/objectives We assessed whether training alters cardiac conduction in Standardbred racehorses. Animals Two hundred one trained and 52 untrained Standardbred horses. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Resting ECG recordings were analyzed to assess heart rate (HR) along with standard ECG parameters and for identification of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. An electrophysiological study was performed in 13 horses assessing the effect of training on sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodal function by sinus node recovery time (SNRT) and His signal recordings. Age and sex adjustments were implemented in multiple and logistic regression models for comparison. Results Resting HR in beats per minute (bpm) was lower in trained vs untrained horses (mean, 30.8 ± 2.6 bpm vs 32.9 ± 4.2 bpm; P = .001). Trained horses more often displayed second‐degree atrioventricular block (2AVB; odds ratio, 2.59; P = .04). No difference in SNRT was found between groups (n = 13). Mean P‐A, A‐H, and H‐V intervals were 71 ± 20, 209 ± 41, and 134 ± 41 ms, respectively (n = 7). We did not detect a training effect on AV‐nodal conduction intervals. His signals were present in 1 horse during 2AVB with varying H‐V interval preceding a blocked beat. Conclusions and Clinical Importance We identified decreased HR and increased frequency of 2AVB in trained horses. In 5 of 7 horses, His signal recordings had variable H‐V intervals within each individual horse, providing novel insight into AV conduction in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Nissen
- Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Weis
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth K Krag-Andersen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Eva M Hesselkilde
- Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas L Isaksen
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helena Carstensen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Jørgen K Kanters
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dominik Linz
- Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte Hopster-Iversen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Thomas Jespersen
- Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steen Pehrson
- Department of Cardiology 2142, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Rikke Buhl
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
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50
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Fyyaz S, Papadakis M. Arrhythmogenesis of Sports: Myth or Reality? Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2022; 11:e05. [PMID: 35734145 PMCID: PMC9194918 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2021.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Regular exercise confers health benefits with cardiovascular mortality risk reduction through a variety of mechanisms. At a population level, evidence suggests that undertaking more exercise has greater benefits. In the modern era of sport, there has been an exponential rise in professional and amateur athletes participating in endurance events, with a progressively better understanding of the associated cardiac adaptations, collectively termed ‘athletes heart’. However, emerging data raise questions regarding the risk of potential harm from endurance exercise, with an increased risk of arrhythmia from adverse cardiac remodelling. Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that athletes may exhibit a higher burden of AF, conduction tissue disease, ventricular arrhythmias, a cardiomyopathy-like phenotype and coronary artery disease. In an attempt to separate myth from reality, this review reports on the evidence supporting the notion of ‘too much exercise’, the purported mechanisms of exercise-induced cardiac arrhythmia and complex interplay with sporting discipline, demographics, genetics and acquired factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Fyyaz
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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