Exercise training and detraining modify the morphological and mechanical properties of single cardiac myocytes obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Cardiac changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats: Modulation by aerobic exercise

Systemic arterial hypertension is a multifactorial clinical condition characterized by high and sustained levels of blood pressure. For a better understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertension, studies are conducted with spontaneously hypertensive animals, which allow the investigation of physiological changes that in most cases cannot be studied in humans. In these animals, myocardial remodeling, increased pro-inflammatory markers, redox imbalance and contractile dysfunctions that lead to changes in cardiac function can be observed. However, it can be inferring that aerobic training improves cardiac function and cardiomyocyte contractility, in addition to controlling inflammation and reducing oxidative stress in cardiac muscle, despite this, the precise mechanisms by which physical exercise improves cardiovascular control are not fully understood. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathophysiological changes that affect the heart of spontaneously hypertensive animals and their modulation by aerobic exercise.

Effects of moderate-continuous and high-intensity interval aerobic training on cardiac function of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of moderate-intensity continuous (MICT) and high-intensity interval (HIIT) aerobic training on cardiac morphology and function and the mechanical properties of single cardiomyocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in the compensated phase of hypertension. Sixteen-week-old male SHR and normotensive Wistar (WIS) rats were allocated to six groups of six animals each: SHR CONT or WIS CONT (control); SHR MICT or WIS MICT (underwent MICT, 30 min/day, five days per week for eight weeks); and SHR HIIT or WIS HIIT (underwent HIIT, 30 min/day, five days per week for eight weeks). Total exercise time until fatigue and maximum running speed were determined using a maximal running test before and after the experimental period. Systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean (MAP) blood pressures were measured using tail plethysmography before and after the experimental period. Echocardiographic evaluations were performed at the end of the experimental period. The rats were euthanized after in vivo assessments, and left ventricular myocytes were isolated to evaluate global intracellular Ca²⁺ transient ([Ca²⁺]_i) and contractile function. Cellular measurements were performed at basal temperature (~37°C) at 3, 5, and 7 Hz. The results showed that both training programs increased total exercise time until fatigue and, consequently, maximum running speed. In hypertensive rats, MICT decreased SAP, DAP, MAP, interventricular septal thickness during systole and diastole, and the contraction amplitude at 5 Hz. HIIT increased heart weight and left ventricular wall thickness during systole and diastole and reduced SAP, MAP, and the time to peak [Ca²⁺]_i at all pacing frequencies. In conclusion, both aerobic training protocols promoted beneficial adaptations to cardiac morphology, function, and mechanical properties of single cardiomyocytes in SHR.

Effects of physical exercise combined with captopril or losartan on left ventricular hypertrophy of hypertensive rats

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an endpoint of hypertensive cardiac alterations. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers are among the most effective on LVH regression. Physical exercise combined to antihypertensive drug contributes to arterial pressure (AP) control and LVH prevention. We evaluated the effects of physical exercise combined to captopril or losartan during eight weeks for spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) on some cardiac parameters.Methods: SHR (n=5-6 per group) were sedentary or trained 5 days a week in treadmill during 8 weeks; and they were treated with daily oral captopril (12.5, 25, or 50mg/kg), losartan (2.5, 5, or 10mg/kg), or vehicle. At the end, it was obtained systolic AP (SAP), electrocardiogram (ECG), and hearts metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity and histology.Results: Captopril 25 and 50 mg/kg, and losartan 10 mg/kg lowered SAP of sedentary and trained SHR. Losartan 5 mg/kg combined with physical exercise also lowered SAP. Combined with exercise, captopril 50 mg/kg lowered 13.6% of QT interval, 14.2% of QTc interval, and 22.8% of Tpeak-Tend compared to sedentary SHR. Losartan 5 and 10mg/kg lowered QT interval of sedentary and trained SHR. Losartan 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg combined with physical exercise lowered respectively 25.4%, 24.8%, and 31.8% of MMP-2 activity. Losartan (10mg/kg) combined with exercise reduced cardiomyocyte diameter.Conclusion: These data support the hypothesis of physical exercise combined with RAAS blockers could improve the benefits on hypertensive LVH treatment.

Fitness is improved by adjustments in muscle intracellular signaling in rats with renovascular hypertension 2K1C undergoing voluntary physical exercise

AIM

To evaluate physical fitness and cardiovascular effects in rats with renovascular hypertension, two kidneys, one clip (2K1C) submitted to voluntary exercise (ExV).

MAIN METHODS

24 h after surgery (SHAM and 2K1C) rats were submitted to ExV for one week (adaptation). ExV adherent rats were separated into exercise (2K1C-EX and SHAM-EX) or sedentary (2K1C-SED and SHAM-SED) groups. After 4 weeks, exhaustion test, plasma lactate, cardiovascular parameters were evaluated and gastrocnemius muscle was removed for evaluation of gene expression of muscle metabolism markers (PGC1α; AMPK, SIRT-1, UCP-3; MCP-1; LDH) and of the redox process.

KEY FINDINGS

ExV decreased blood lactate concentration and increased SOD and CAT activity and a SIRT-1 and UCP-3 gene expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of 2K1C-ExV rats compared to 2K1C-SED rats. Gene expressions of PGC1α, UCP-3, MCT-1, AMPK were higher in 2K1C-ExV rats compared to SHAM-SED rats. Blood pressure in 2K1C-ExV was lower compared to 2K1C-SED and higher in SHAM-SED rats. Reflex bradycardia in 2K1C-EX rats increased compared to 2K1C-SED and was similar to SHAM-SED. The variation in mean blood pressure induced by ganglion blocker hexamethonium and Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan in the 2K1C-ExV rats was smaller compared to the 2K1C-SED rats and it was similar to the SHAM-SED rats.

SIGNIFICANCE

O ExV induced adaptive responses in 2K1C-ExV rats by decreasing sympathetic and Ang II activities and stimulating intracellular signaling that favors redox balance and reduced blood lactate concentration. These adaptive responses, then, contribute to reduced arterial pressure, improved baroreflex sensitivity and physical fitness of 2K1C rats.

Heat shock transcription factor 1 regulates exercise-induced myocardial angiogenesis after pressure overload via HIF-1α/VEGF pathway

Exercise training is believed to have a positive effect on cardiac hypertrophy after hypertension. However, its mechanism is still not fully understood. Herein, our findings suggest that heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) improves exercise‐initiated myocardial angiogenesis after pressure overload. A sustained narrowing of the diagonal aorta (TAC) and moderately‐ intense exercise training protocol were imposed on HSF1 heterozygote (KO) and their littermate wild‐type (WT) male mice. After two months, the cardiac function was assessed using the adaptive responses to exercise training, or TAC, or both of them such as catheterization and echocardiography. The HE stains assessed the area of myocyte cross‐sectional. The Western blot and real‐time PCR measured the levels of expression for heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) in cardiac tissues. The anti‐CD31 antibody immunohistochemical staining was done to examine how exercise training influenced cardiac ontogeny. The outcome illustrated that exercise training significantly improved the cardiac ontogeny in TAC mice, which was convoyed by elevated levels of expression for VEGF and HIF‐1α and preserved the heart microvascular density. More importantly, HSF1 deficiency impaired these effects induced by exercise training in TAC mice. In conclusion, exercise training encourages cardiac ontogeny by means of HSF1 activation and successive HIF‐1α/VEGF up‐regulation in endothelial cells during continued pressure overload.

LOW-INTENSITY ENDURANCE TRAINING AND RIGHT VENTRICULAR MYOCYTES OF HYPERTENSIVE RATS

ABSTRACT Introduction The structural and mechanical adaptations of the right ventricular (RV) myocytes in response to hypertension associated with low-intensity endurance training (LIET) have not been studied in experimental models. Objective To determine the effects of LIET on the structural and mechanical properties of RV myocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods Male SHRs and normotensive Wistar rats (age: 16 weeks) were allocated to groups (n=7): WIS (Wistar Controls); SHR-C (SHR Controls) and SHR-T (SHR Trained; 60 min/day, 50-60% of maximal exercise capacity, 5 days/week for 8 weeks). Systolic arterial pressure (SAP), isolated RV myocyte dimensions, contractility, intracellular Ca2+ transient ([Ca2+]i), and ventricular Ca2+ regulatory proteins were measured. The statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test (α=5%). Results LIET reduced the SAP in SHR animals (SHR-C, 164 ± 2 mmHg vs. SHR-T, 152 ± 4 mmHg; P<0.05). Hypertension increased cell length (WIS, 156.8 ± 2.7 µm; SHR-C, 166.6 ± 3.1 µm; P<0.05) but did not affect cell width or volume (P>0.05). LIET did not change the cell dimensions in the SHR-T. Neither hypertension nor LIET affected myocyte contractility or the expression of Ca2+ regulatory proteins in the RV of the SHR-C and SHR-T groups. Hypertension did not affect the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient or the time to half resting level (P>0.05), but increased the time to peak (WIS, 58 ± 1 ms vs. SHR-C, 79 ± 2 ms; P<0.05). LIET increased the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient (WIS, 2.28 ± 0.07 F/F0 and SHR-C, 2.48 ± 0.08 F/F0 vs. SHR-T, 2.87 ± 0.08 F/F0 P<0.05), but did not alter the times to peak or to half resting level. Conclusion LIET had no effect on the structural and mechanical properties of RV myocytes in the SHRs, although it increased the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient and reduced the SAP. Level of evidence I, Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the Results of Treatment.

Endurance training restores spatially distinct cardiac mitochondrial function and myocardial contractility in ovariectomized rats

We previously demonstrated that the loss of female hormones induces cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction in the female heart. Here, we show the impact of endurance training for twelve weeks, a nonpharmacological therapy against cardiovascular disease caused by ovariectomy and its contribution to cardiac contractility, mitochondrial quality control, bioenergetics and oxidative damage. We found that ovariectomy induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction by decreasing SERCA2 and increasing phospholamban protein expression. Endurance training restored myocardial contractility, SERCA2 levels, increased calcium transient in ovariectomized rats but did not change phospholamban protein expression or cardiac hypertrophy. Additionally, ovariectomy decreased the amount of intermyofibrillar mitochondria and induced mitochondrial fragmentation that were accompanied by decreased levels of mitofusin 1, PGC-1α, NRF-1, total AMPK-α and mitochondrial Tfam. Endurance training prevented all these features except for mitofusin 1. Ovariectomy reduced O₂ consumption, elevated O₂^.- release and increased Ca²⁺-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in both mitochondrial subpopulations. Ovariectomy also increased NOX-4 protein expression in the heart, reduced mitochondrial Mn-SOD, catalase protein expression and increased protein carbonylation in both mitochondrial subpopulations, which were prevented by endurance training. Taken together, our findings show that endurance training prevented cardiac contractile dysfunction and mitochondrial quality control in ovariectomized rats.

Cardiotrophin 1 stimulates beneficial myogenic and vascular remodeling of the heart

The post-natal heart adapts to stress and overload through hypertrophic growth, a process that may be pathologic or beneficial (physiologic hypertrophy). Physiologic hypertrophy improves cardiac performance in both healthy and diseased individuals, yet the mechanisms that propagate this favorable adaptation remain poorly defined. We identify the cytokine cardiotrophin 1 (CT1) as a factor capable of recapitulating the key features of physiologic growth of the heart including transient and reversible hypertrophy of the myocardium, and stimulation of cardiomyocyte-derived angiogenic signals leading to increased vascularity. The capacity of CT1 to induce physiologic hypertrophy originates from a CK2-mediated restraining of caspase activation, preventing the transition to unrestrained pathologic growth. Exogenous CT1 protein delivery attenuated pathology and restored contractile function in a severe model of right heart failure, suggesting a novel treatment option for this intractable cardiac disease.

Influence of Physical Activity on Hypertension and Cardiac Structure and Function

The global burden of hypertension is rising and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle factors such as diet and physical inactivity contribute to this burden, further highlighting the need for prevention efforts to curb this public health epidemic. Regular physical activity is associated with lower blood pressure, reduced cardiovascular risk, and cardiac remodeling. While exercise and hypertension can both be associated with the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the cardiac remodeling from hypertension is pathologic with an associated increase in myocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, and risk of heart failure and mortality, whereas LVH in athletes is generally non-pathologic and lacks the fibrosis seen in hypertension. In hypertensive patients, physical activity has been associated with paradoxical regression or prevention of LVH, suggesting a mechanism by which exercise can benefit hypertensive patients. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the benefits of physical activity in the hypertensive heart.

Effects of anaerobic exercise and detraining on the caspase-3 expression of rat ventricular cardiomyocyte

Background: Anaerobic physical exercise is a high intensity physical exercise performed in a short time. This exercise can stimulate apoptosis in left ventricular cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study is to analyze the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes after anaerobic exercise and detraining.Methods: Thirty two wistar rats Ratus Novergicus 250-350 grams (8-10 weeks old) were divided into the following groups (n = 4) and given naerobic physical exercise four and 12 weeks (group Exc-4, Exc-12) and anaerobic exercise followed by four weeks of detraining (Exc-4-D, Exc-12-D). The control groups were only observed in the same period (group CTL-4, CTL-12, CTL-4-D, CTL-12-D). At the end of observation, the rats were sacrificed and examination of the expression of caspase-3 as an indicator of apoptosis was done using immunohistochemical staining. Data were analyzed with ANOVA test.Results: An increase in expression of caspase-3 in the group Exc-4 (72.03%) compared to the CTL-4 (27.22%), (p < 0,001); and Exc-12 (79.30%) compared to the CTL-12 (30.53%) (p = 0.027). Detraining process showed a significant decline Capase-3 expression (31.12% in exc-4-D and 30.44% in the exc-12-D).Conclusion: Anaerobic physical exercise can increase apoptosis in rat left ventricle cardiomyocyte characterized by increased expression of caspase-3. Detraining can improve heart condition characterized by decreased expression of caspase-3. 

Cardiac adaptations from 4 weeks of intensity-controlled vigorous exercise are lost after a similar period of detraining

Intensity-controlled (relative to VO_2max) treadmill exercise training in adult rats results in the activation and ensuing differentiation of endogenous c-kit^pos cardiac stem/progenitor cells (eCSCs) into newly formed cardiomyocytes and capillaries. Whether these training-induced adaptations persist following detraining is undetermined. Twelve male Wistar rats (∼230 g) were exercised at 80–85% of their VO_2max for 30 min day⁻¹, 4 days week⁻¹ for 4 weeks (TR;n = 6), followed by 4 weeks of detraining (DTR; n = 6). Twelve untrained rats acted as controls (CTRL). Exercise training significantly enhanced VO_2max (11.34 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) and wet heart weight (29%) above CTRL (P < 0.05). Echocardiography revealed that exercise training increased LV mass (∼32%), posterior and septal wall thickness (∼15%), ejection fraction and fractional shortening (∼10%) compared to CTRL (P < 0.05). Cardiomyocyte diameter (17.9 ± 0.1 μm vs. 14.9 ± 0.6 μm), newly formed (BrdU^pos/Ki67^pos) cardiomyocytes (7.2 ± 1.3%/1.9 ± 0.7% vs. 0.2 ± 0.1%/0.1 ± 0.1%), total cardiomyocyte number (45.6 ± 0.6 × 10⁶ vs. 42.5 ± 0.4 × 10⁶), c-kit^pos eCSC number (884 ± 112 per 10⁶ cardiomyocytes vs. 482 ± 132 per 10⁶ cardiomyocytes), and capillary density (4123 ± 227 per mm² vs. 2117 ± 118 per mm²) were significantly greater in the LV of trained animals (P < 0.05) than CTRL. Detraining removed the stimulus for c-kit^pos eCSC activation (640 ± 98 per 10⁶ cardiomyocytes) and resultant cardiomyocyte hyperplasia (0.4 ± 0.3% BrdU^pos/0.2 ± 0.2% Ki67^pos cardiomyocytes). Capillary density (3673 ± 374 per mm²) and total myocyte number (44.7 ± 0.5 × 10⁶) remained elevated following detraining, but cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (15.0 ± 0.4 μm) was lost, resulting in a reduction of anatomical (wall thickness ∼4%; LV mass ∼10% and cardiac mass ∼8%, above CTRL) and functional (EF & FS ∼2% above CTRL) parameters gained through exercise training. These findings demonstrate that cardiac adaptations, produced by 4 weeks of intensity-controlled exercise training are lost after a similar period of detraining.

NanoUPLC/MS(E) proteomic analysis reveals modulation on left ventricle proteome from hypertensive rats after exercise training

NanoUPLC/MS(E) was used to verify the effects of 8weeks of low (SHR-LIT=4) and high (SHR-HIT=4) intensity training over the left ventricle proteome of hypertensive rats (SHR-C=4). Training enhanced the aerobic capacity and reduced the systolic blood pressure in all exercised rats. NanoUPLC/MS(E) identified 250 proteins, with 233 in common to all groups and 16 exclusive to SHR-C, 2 to SHR-LIT, and 2 to the SHR-HIT. Cardiac hypertrophy related proteins appeared only in SHR-C. The SHR-LIT enhanced the abundance of 30 proteins and diminished 6, while SHR-HIT enhanced the abundance of 39 proteins and reduced other 7. The levels of metabolic (β and γ-enolase, adenine phosphoribosultransferase, and cytochrome b-c1), myofibril (myosin light chain 4, tropomyosin α and β-chain), and transporter proteins (hemoglobin, serum albumin, and hemopexin) were increased by both intensities. Transcription regulator and histone variants were enhanced by SHR-LIT and SHR-HIT respectively. SHR-LIT reduced the concentration of myosin binding protein C, while desmin and membrane voltage dependent anion selective channel protein-3 were reduced only by SHR-HIT. In addition, polyubiquitin B and C, and transcription regulators decreased in both intensities. Exercise also increased the concentration of anti-oxidant proteins, peroxiredozin-6 and glutathione peroxidase-1.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Pathologic left ventricle hypertrophy if one of the major outcomes of hypertension being a strong predictor of heart failure. Among the various risk factors for cardiovascular disorders, arterial hypertension is responsible for the highest rates of mortality worldwide. In this way, this present study contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the attenuation of hypertension and the regression of pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by exercise training.

Effect of exercise training on Ca²⁺ release units of left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats

In cardiomyocytes, calcium (Ca²⁺) release units comprise clusters of intracellular Ca²⁺ release channels located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and hypertension is well established as a cause of defects in calcium release unit function. Our objective was to determine whether endurance exercise training could attenuate the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release unit components and Ca²⁺ sparks in left ventricular myocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (4 months of age) were divided into 4 groups: normotensive (NC) and hypertensive control (HC), and normotensive (NT) and hypertensive trained (HT) animals (7 rats per group). NC and HC rats were submitted to a low-intensity treadmill running protocol (5 days/week, 1 h/day, 0% grade, and 50-60% of maximal running speed) for 8 weeks. Gene expression of the ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) and FK506 binding protein (FKBP12.6) increased (270%) and decreased (88%), respectively, in HC compared to NC rats. Endurance exercise training reversed these changes by reducing RyR2 (230%) and normalizing FKBP12.6 gene expression (112%). Hypertension also increased the frequency of Ca²⁺ sparks (HC=7.61±0.26 vs NC=4.79±0.19 per 100 µm/s) and decreased its amplitude (HC=0.260±0.08 vs NC=0.324±0.10 ΔF/F₀), full width at half-maximum amplitude (HC=1.05±0.08 vs NC=1.26±0.01 µm), total duration (HC=11.51±0.12 vs NC=14.97±0.24 ms), time to peak (HC=4.84±0.06 vs NC=6.31±0.14 ms), and time constant of decay (HC=8.68±0.12 vs NC=10.21±0.22 ms). These changes were partially reversed in HT rats (frequency of Ca²⁺ sparks=6.26±0.19 µm/s, amplitude=0.282±0.10 ΔF/F₀, full width at half-maximum amplitude=1.14±0.01 µm, total duration=13.34±0.17 ms, time to peak=5.43±0.08 ms, and time constant of decay=9.43±0.15 ms). Endurance exercise training attenuated the deleterious effects of hypertension on calcium release units of left ventricular myocytes.

Effects of hypertension and exercise on cardiac proteome remodelling

Left ventricle hypertrophy is a common outcome of pressure overload stimulus closely associated with hypertension. This process is triggered by adverse molecular signalling, gene expression, and proteome alteration. Proteomic research has revealed that several molecular targets are associated with pathologic cardiac hypertrophy, including angiotensin II, endothelin-1 and isoproterenol. Several metabolic, contractile, and stress-related proteins are shown to be altered in cardiac hypertrophy derived by hypertension. On the other hand, exercise is a nonpharmacologic agent used for hypertension treatment, where cardiac hypertrophy induced by exercise training is characterized by improvement in cardiac function and resistance against ischemic insult. Despite the scarcity of proteomic research performed with exercise, healthy and pathologic heart proteomes are shown to be modulated in a completely different way. Hence, the altered proteome induced by exercise is mostly associated with cardioprotective aspects such as contractile and metabolic improvement and physiologic cardiac hypertrophy. The present review, therefore, describes relevant studies involving the molecular characteristics and alterations from hypertensive-induced and exercise-induced hypertrophy, as well as the main proteomic research performed in this field. Furthermore, proteomic research into the effect of hypertension on other target-demerged organs is examined.

Regional effects of low-intensity endurance training on structural and mechanical properties of rat ventricular myocytes

We tested the effects of low-intensity endurance training (LIET) on the structural and mechanical properties of right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocytes. Male Wistar rats (4 mo old) were randomly divided into control (C, n = 7) and trained (T, n = 7, treadmill running at 50–60% of maximal running speed for 8 wk) groups. Isolated ventricular myocyte dimensions, contractility, Ca2+ transients {intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)}, and ventricular [Ca2+]i regulatory proteins were measured. LIET augmented cell length (C, 152.5 ± 2.0 μm vs. T, 162.2 ± 2.1 μm; P < 0.05) and volume (C, 5,162 ± 131 μm3 vs. T, 5,506 ± 132 μm3; P < 0.05) in the LV but not in the RV. LIET increased cell shortening (C, 7.5 ± 0.3% vs. T, 8.6 ± 0.3%; P < 0.05), the [Ca2+]i transient amplitude (C, 2.49 ± 0.06 F/F0 vs. T, 2.82 ± 0.06 F/F0; P < 0.05), the expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a (C, 1.07 ± 0.13 vs. T, 1.59 ± 0.12; P < 0.05), and the levels of phosphorylated phospholamban at serine 16 (C, 0.99 ± 0.11 vs. T, 1.34 ± 0.10; P < 0.05), and reduced the total phospholamban-to-sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a ratio (C, 1.19 ± 0.15 vs. T, 0.40 ± 0.16; P < 0.05) in the LV without changing such parameters in the RV. In conclusion, LIET affected the structure and improved the mechanical properties of LV but not of RV myocytes in rats, helping to characterize the functional and morphological changes that accompany the endurance training-induced cardiac remodeling.

Exercise and its interactions with various aspects of man and animal lives

To review recently published papers in the Brazilian Scientific press on the general subject of physical exercise. All articles published in 2010/2011 found through the keyword exercise were collected from 11 Brazilian Journals. They were hand filtered to exclude all but original research papers. They were grouped according to subject categories and subcategories. A brief summary of all included articles was produced, comparing similar articles between them. The most commonly found interactions refer to exercise vs. the cardiovascular system, metabolism and the locomotor system, in this order. The volume of scientific research in the field is high and of sufficient quality to justify highlighting.