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Circulating angiogenic cell population responses to 10 days of reduced physical activity
Gayatri Guhanarayan1, Julianne Jablonski1, Sarah Witkowski2
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Insights
Reduced physical activity significantly lowers circulating angiogenic cell (CAC) numbers and nitric oxide production in CFU CACs. This highlights the importance of regular exercise for maintaining cardiovascular health and specific cell functions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cell Biology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) predict cardiovascular health and are inversely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for CVD, yet its impact on specific CAC populations is under-researched.
- Understanding how reduced physical activity (rPA) affects CACs is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of objectively monitored rPA on CFU and CD34(+) CAC populations, intracellular nitric oxide (NOi), and related gene expression in healthy men.
- To determine if short-term inactivity impacts NO production and gene expression in different CAC subsets.
- To assess the population-specific vulnerability of CACs to decreased physical activity.
Main Methods:
- Healthy male participants underwent a 10-day period of reduced physical activity while maintaining energy balance.
- Objective monitoring assessed changes in physical activity levels, including time in vigorous activity and sedentary time.
- Flow cytometry and gene expression analysis were used to quantify CAC populations (CFU, CD34(+)), intracellular nitric oxide (NOi), and NO-related genes.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in time spent in vigorous physical activity and a trend towards increased sedentary time were observed with rPA.
- CFU CAC numbers decreased by 35.69% (P = 0.01) and their intracellular nitric oxide (NOi) levels dropped by 33.84% (P = 0.03).
- No significant changes were found in CD34(+) cell counts, NOi, or the expression of NO-related or oxidative stress-related genes in either CAC type.
Conclusions:
- Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining intracellular nitric oxide levels in CFU CACs.
- Short-term reductions in physical activity specifically impact CFU CACs, suggesting a population-specific vulnerability.
- These findings underscore the importance of consistent exercise for preserving CAC function and cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) are a diverse group that have been identified as predictors of cardiovascular health and are inversely proportional to cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. Inactivity is a growing concern in industrialized nations and is an independent risk factor for CVD. There is limited evidence regarding the impact of reduced physical activity (rPA) on different CAC populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of objectively monitored rPA with maintained energy balance on two CAC populations (CFU and CD34(+) cells), intracellular nitric oxide (NOi), and genes related to NO production in active, healthy men. Participants (age 25 ± 2.9 yr) refrained from structured physical activity for 10 days, which was reflected by a significant reduction in time in vigorous + very vigorous intensity activity (P = 0.03). Sedentary time tended to increase (P = 0.06) with rPA. CFU CACs have been characterized as mainly monocytic and lymphocytic cells. We found significant reductions in both the number of CFU CACs (-35.69%, P = 0.01) and CFU CAC NOi (-33.84%, P = 0.03). Neither NOi nor the number of CD34(+) cells, which are hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors, changed with rPA. We found no significant differences in NO-related gene expression or oxidative stress-related gene expression with rPA in either CAC type. Therefore, we conclude that although various CAC populations have been related to vascular health, regular physical activity is necessary to maintain CAC NOi and the vulnerability of CACs to short-term reductions in physical activity is population specific.
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