Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Improves Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Mitophagy, and Oxidative Stress...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Exercise Physiology
• Mitochondrial Biology and Oxidative Stress

Background:

• Left ventricular dysfunction, impaired mitophagy, and oxidative stress are key factors in myocardial injury and cardiac remodeling post-myocardial infarction (MI).
• Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is crucial for post-MI care, but its precise mechanisms for myocardial repair require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of exercise-based CR on left ventricular dysfunction, mitophagy, and oxidative stress in patients and animal models following MI.

Main Methods:

• A Mendelian randomization analysis explored the causal link between physical activities and MI risk.
• A randomized controlled trial involved 70 MI patients undergoing exercise-based CR, assessing cardiac and cardiopulmonary function, and quality of life.
• An animal study utilized MI rats subjected to treadmill running to evaluate left ventricular function, mitophagy markers, and oxidative stress indicators.

Main Results:

• Genetically predicted moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of MI.
• Exercise-based CR significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in MI patients and rats.
• Exercise intervention in MI rats enhanced mitophagy (LC3, FUNDC1, PINK1, Parkin) and reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD2, GPX4).

Conclusions:

• Exercise-based CR effectively ameliorates left ventricular dysfunction, boosts mitophagy, and mitigates oxidative stress post-MI, highlighting its role in crucial pathological pathways.
• Future research should focus on the long-term effects of CR and the interplay between mitophagy and oxidative stress in cardiac remodeling to develop personalized exercise strategies.