Aging, exercise, and cardioprotection.
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with coronary artery disease. The incidence of I-R events is greatest in older persons, and studies also indicate that the magnitude of myocardial I-R injury is greater in senescent individuals compared to younger adults. Regular exercise has been confirmed as a pragmatic countermeasure to protect against I-R-induced cardiac injury. Specifically, endurance exercise has been proven to provide cardioprotection against an I-R insult in both young and old animals. Proposed mechanisms to explain the cardioprotective effect of exercise include the induction of myocardial heat shock proteins (HSPs), improved cardiac antioxidant capacity, and/or elevation of other cardioprotective proteins. Of these potential mechanisms, evidence indicates that elevated myocardial levels of heat shock proteins or antioxidants can provide myocardial protection against I-R injury. At present, which of these protective mechanisms is essential for exercise-induced cardioprotection remains unclear. Understanding the molecular basis for exercise-induced cardioprotection is important in developing exercise paradigms to protect the heart during an I-R insult.
Powers
Scott K
SK
Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Center for Exercise Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. spowers@hhp.ufl.edu
Quindry
John
J
Hamilton
Karyn
K
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D015444:Exercise; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D051381:Rats; D015427:Reperfusion Injury; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase