Intrinsic and Extrinsic Contributors to the Cardiac Benefits of Exercise.

Among its many cardiovascular benefits, exercise training improves heart function and protects the heart against age-related decline, pathological stress, and injury. Here, we focus on cardiac benefits with an emphasis on more recent updates to our understanding. While the cardiomyocyte continues to play a central role as both a target and effector of exercise's benefits, there is a growing recognition of the important roles of other, noncardiomyocyte lineages and pathways, including some that lie outside the heart itself. We review what is known about mediators of exercise's benefits-both those intrinsic to the heart (at the level of cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, or vascular cells) and those that are systemic (including metabolism, inflammation, the microbiome, and aging)-highlighting what is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible.

Exercise and microbiome: From big data to therapy.

Exercise is a vital component in maintaining optimal health and serves as a prospective therapeutic intervention for various diseases. The human microbiome, comprised of trillions of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in overall health. Given the advancements in microbiome research, substantial databases have been created to decipher the functionality and mechanisms of the microbiome in health and disease contexts. This review presents an initial overview of microbiomics development and related databases, followed by an in-depth description of the multi-omics technologies for microbiome. It subsequently synthesizes the research pertaining to exercise-induced modifications of the microbiome and diseases that impact the microbiome. Finally, it highlights the potential therapeutic implications of an exercise-modulated microbiome in intestinal disease, obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and immune/inflammation-related diseases.

Diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction using a combination of circulating circular RNA cZNF292 and clinical information based on machine learning.

Circulating circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as novel biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Machine learning can provide optimal predictions on the diagnosis of diseases. Here we performed a proof-of-concept study to determine if combining circRNAs with an artificial intelligence approach works in diagnosing CVD. We used acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as a model setup to prove the claim. We determined the expression level of five hypoxia-induced circRNAs, including cZNF292, cAFF1, cDENND4C, cTHSD1, and cSRSF4, in the whole blood of coronary angiography positive AMI and negative non-AMI patients. Based on feature selection by using lasso with 10-fold cross validation, prediction model by logistic regression, and ROC curve analysis, we found that cZNF292 combined with clinical information (CM), including age, gender, body mass index, heart rate, and diastolic blood pressure, can predict AMI effectively. In a validation cohort, CM + cZNF292 can separate AMI and non-AMI patients, unstable angina and AMI patients, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and non-ACS patients. RNA stability study demonstrated that cZNF292 was stable. Knockdown of cZNF292 in endothelial cells or cardiomyocytes showed anti-apoptosis effects in oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. Thus, we identify circulating cZNF292 as a potential biomarker for AMI and construct a prediction model "CM + cZNF292."

Inhibition of HIPK2 protects stress-induced pathological cardiac remodeling.

BACKGROUND: Homeodomain-Interacting Protein Kinase 2 (HIPK2) has been reported to maintain basal cardiac function, however, its role in pathological cardiac remodeling remains unclear. METHODS: HIPK2 inhibitors (tBID and PKI1H) treated mice and two lines of HIPK2-/- mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). HIPK2 knockdown were performed in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs), neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs), and human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs). Microarray analysis was used to screen HIPK2 targets. Overexpression of early growth response 3 (EGR3) and C-type lectin receptor 4D (CLEC4D) were performed in NRCMs, while an activator of Smad3 was used in NRCFs, to rescue the effects of HIPK2 knockdown. Finally, the effects of EGR3 and CLEC4D knockdown by AAV9 in TAC were determined. FINDINGS: HIPK2 was elevated in TAC mice model, as well as cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and NRCFs fibrosis model. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of HIPK2 improved cardiac function and suppressed cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by TAC. In vitro, HIPK2 inhibition prevented cardiomyocyte hypertrophic growth and NRCFs proliferation and differentiation. At the mechanistic level, we identified EGR3 and CLEC4D as new targets of HIPK2, which were regulated by ERK1/2-CREB and mediated the protective function of HIPK2 inhibition in cardiomyocytes. Meanwhile, inhibition of phosphorylation of Smad3 was responsible for the suppression of cardiac fibroblasts proliferation and differentiation by HIPK2 inhibition. Finally, we found that inhibition of EGR3 or CLEC4D protected against TAC. INTERPRETATION: HIPK2 inhibition protects against pathological cardiac remodeling by reducing EGR3 and CLEC4D with ERK1/2-CREB inhibition in cardiomyocytes, and by suppressing the phosphorylation of Smad3 in cardiac fibroblasts. FUNDING: This work was supported by the grants from National Key Research and Development Project (2018YFE0113500 to J.X.), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82020108002 and 81911540486 to J.X., 81400647 to MJ Xu), the grant from Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (21XD1421300 and 20DZ2255400 to J.X.), the "Dawn" Program of Shanghai Education Commission (19SG34 to J.X.), and Shanghai Sailing Program (21YF1413200 to Q.Z.).

Gut microbiome mediates the protective effects of exercise after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota plays important roles in health maintenance and diseases. Physical exercise has been demonstrated to be able to modulate gut microbiota. However, the potential role of gut microbiome in exercise protection to myocardial infarction (MI) remains unclear. RESULTS: Here, we discovered exercise training ameliorated cardiac dysfunction and changed gut microbial richness and community structure post-MI. Moreover, gut microbiota pre-depletion abolished the protective effects of exercise training in MI mice. Furthermore, mice receiving microbiota transplants from exercised MI mice had better cardiac function compared to mice receiving microbiota transplants from non-exercised MI mice. Mechanistically, we analyzed metabolomics in fecal samples from exercised mice post-MI and identified 3-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3-HPA) and 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), which could be applied individually to protect cardiac dysfunction post-MI and apoptosis through NRF2. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our study provides new insights into the role of gut microbiome in exercise protection to MI, offers opportunities to modulate cardiovascular diseases by exercise, microbiome and gut microbiota-derived 3-HPA and 4-HBA. Video Abstract.

Non-coding RNA basis of muscle atrophy.

Muscle atrophy is a common complication of many chronic diseases including heart failure, cancer cachexia, aging, etc. Unhealthy habits and usage of hormones such as dexamethasone can also lead to muscle atrophy. However, the underlying mechanisms of muscle atrophy are not completely understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play vital roles in muscle atrophy. This review mainly discusses the regulation of ncRNAs in muscle atrophy induced by various factors such as heart failure, cancer cachexia, aging, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), peripheral nerve injury (PNI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), unhealthy habits, and usage of hormones; highlights the findings of ncRNAs as common regulators in multiple types of muscle atrophy; and summarizes current therapies and underlying mechanisms for muscle atrophy. This review will deepen the understanding of skeletal muscle biology and provide new strategies and insights into gene therapy for muscle atrophy.

Exercise downregulates HIPK2 and HIPK2 inhibition protects against myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Exercise can protect myocardial infarction (MI) and downregulate cardiac Homeodomain-Interacting Protein Kinase 2 (HIPK2). However, the role of HIPK2 in MI is unclear. METHODS: HIPK2-/- mice and miR-222-/- rats, HIPK2 inhibitor (PKI1H) and adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) carrying miR-222 were applied in the study. Animals were subjected to running, swimming, acute MI or post-MI remodeling. HIPK2 inhibition and P53 activator were used in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). Serum miR-222 levels were analyzed in healthy people and MI patients that were survival or readmitted to the hospital and/or died. FINDINGS: Cardiac HIPK2 protein levels were reduced by exercise while increased in MI. In vitro, HIPK2 suppression by lentiviral vectors or inhibitor prevented apoptosis induced by OGD/R in NRCMs and hESC-CMs. HIPK2 inhibitor-treated mice and HIPK2-/- mice reduced infarct size after acute MI, and preserved cardiac function in MI remodeling. Mechanistically, protective effect against apoptosis by HIPK2 suppression was reversed by P53 activators. Furthermore, increasing levels of miR-222, targeting HIPK2, protected post-MI cardiac dysfunction, whereas cardiac dysfunction post-MI was aggravated in miR-222-/- rats. Moreover, serum miR-222 levels were significantly reduced in MI patients, as well as in MI patients that were readmitted to the hospital and/or died compared to those not. INTERPRETATION: Exercise-induced HIPK2 suppression attenuates cardiomyocytes apoptosis and protects MI by decreasing P-P53. Inhibition of HIPK2 represents a potential novel therapeutic intervention for MI. FUNDING: This work was supported by the grants from National Key Research and Development Project (2018YFE0113500 to JJ Xiao), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82020108002, 81722008, and 81911540486 to JJ Xiao, 81400647 to MJ Xu, 81800265 to YJ Liang), Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (2017-01-07-00-09-E00042 to JJ Xiao), the grant from Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (18410722200 and 17010500100 to JJ Xiao), the "Dawn" Program of Shanghai Education Commission (19SG34 to JJ Xiao), Shanghai Sailing Program (21YF1413200 to QL Zhou). JS is supported by Horizon2020 ERC-2016-COG EVICARE (725229).

Long Noncoding RNA Cardiac Physiological Hypertrophy-Associated Regulator Induces Cardiac Physiological Hypertrophy and Promotes Functional Recovery After Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of exercise training in the cardiovascular system have been well accepted; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. Here, we report the initial functional characterization of an exercise-induced cardiac physiological hypertrophy-associated novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). METHODS: Using lncRNA microarray profiling, we identified lncRNAs in contributing the modulation of exercise-induced cardiac growth that we termed cardiac physiological hypertrophy-associated regulator (CPhar). Mice with adeno-associated virus serotype 9 driving CPhar overexpression and knockdown were used in in vivo experiments. Swim training was used to induce physiological cardiac hypertrophy in mice, and ischemia reperfusion injury surgery was conducted to investigate the protective effects of CPhar in mice. To investigate the mechanisms of CPhar's function, we performed various analyses including quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, histology, cardiac function (by echocardiography), functional rescue experiments, mass spectrometry, in vitro RNA transcription, RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, luciferase reporter assay, and coimmunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS: We screened the lncRNAs in contributing the modulation of exercise-induced cardiac growth through lncRNA microarray profiling and found that CPhar was increased with exercise and was necessary for exercise-induced physiological cardiac growth. The gain and loss of function of CPhar regulated the expression of proliferation markers, hypertrophy, and apoptosis in cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of CPhar prevented myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury and cardiac dysfunction in vivo. We identified DDX17 (DEAD-Box Helicase 17) as a binding partner of CPhar in regulating CPhar downstream factor ATF7 (activating transcription factor 7) by sequestering C/EBPß (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta). CONCLUSIONS: Our study of this lncRNA CPhar provides new insights into the regulation of exercise-induced cardiac physiological growth, demonstrating the cardioprotective role of CPhar in the heart, and expanding our mechanistic understanding of lncRNA function, as well.

The anti-microbial peptide LL-37/CRAMP levels are associated with acute heart failure and can attenuate cardiac dysfunction in multiple preclinical models of heart failure.

Rationale: Biomarkers for the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) are clinically essential. Circulating antimicrobial peptides LL-37 has emerged as a novel biomarker in cardiovascular disease, however, its relevance as a biomarker for acute HF are undetermined. Methods: Acute HF patients were enrolled in this study and the serum levels of LL-37/CRAMP (cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide) were measured by ELISA. The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine if serum LL-37 could be a biomarker for acute HF. Mouse CRAMP (mCRAMP, mouse homolog for human LL-37) was also determined in both heart and serum samples of, transverse aortic constriction (TAC)- and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced HF mice models, and phenylephrine (PE) and angiotensin II (AngII)-induced neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (NMCMs) hypertrophic models, both intracellular and secreted, by ELISA. The protective effects of mCRAMP were determined in TAC, ISO, and AngII-induced HF in mice while whether HF was exacerbated in AngII-infused animals were checked in mCRAMP knockout mice. The underlying mechanism for protective effects of CARMP in pathological hypertrophy was determined by using a NF-κB agonist together with rCRAMP (rat homolog for human LL-37) in AngII or PE treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Results: Serum levels of LL-37 were significantly decreased in acute HF patients (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.616), and negatively correlated with NT-proBNP. We further confirmed that mCRAMP was decreased in both heart and serum samples of TAC- and ISO-induced HF mice models. Moreover, in PE and AngII-induced NMCMs hypertrophic models, both intracellular and secreted mCRAMP levels were reduced. Functionally, mCRAMP could attenuate TAC, ISO, and AngII-induced HF in mice while CRAMP deficiency exacerbated HF. Mechanistically, the anti-hypertrophy effects of CRAMP were mediated by NF-κB signaling. Conclusions: Collectively, serum LL-37 is associated with acute HF and increasing CRAMP is protective against deleterious NF-κB signaling in the rodent.

Circulating microRNAs in Response to Exercise Training in Healthy Adults.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) have great potential as cardiac biomarkers and they are also being explored for their roles in intercellular communication and gene expression regulation. The analysis of circulating miRNAs in response to exercise would provide a deeper understanding of the molecular response to physical activity and valuable information for clinical practice. Here, eight male college students were recruited to participate in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and 1 h acute exercise training (AET). Blood samples were collected and serum miRNAs involved in angiogenesis, inflammation and enriched in muscle and/or cardiac tissues were analyzed before and after cardiopulmonary exercise and acute exercise. The miRNAs we detected were miR-1, miR-20a, miR-21, miR-126, miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-146, miR155, miR-208a, miR-208b, miR-210, miR-221, miR-222, miR-328, miR-378, miR-499, and miR-940. We found that serum miR-20a was decreased significantly after CPET and serum miR-21 was increased after AET. In addition, no robust correlation was identified between the changes of these miRNAs and makers of cardiac function and exercise capacity, which indicates a distinct adaptation of these miRNAs to exercise. Future studies are highly needed to define the potential use of these circulating miRNAs as useful biomarkers of exercise training, and disclose the biological function of circulating miRNAs as physiological mediators of exercise-induced cardiovascular adaptation.

Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Cathelicidins are a major group of natural antimicrobial peptides which play essential roles in regulating host defense and immunity. In addition to the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, recent studies have reported the involvement of cathelicidins in cardiovascular diseases by regulating inflammatory response and microvascular dysfunction. However, the role of cathelicidins in myocardial apoptosis upon cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains largely unknown. METHODS: CRAMP (cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide) levels were measured in the heart and serum from I/R mice and in neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes treated with oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGDR). Human serum cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (LL-37) levels were measured in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. The role of CRAMP in myocardial apoptosis upon I/R injury was investigated in mice injected with the CRAMP peptide and in CRAMP knockout (KO) mice, as well as in OGDR-treated cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: We observed reduced CRAMP level in both heart and serum samples from I/R mice and in OGDR-treated cardiomyocytes, as well as reduced LL-37 level in MI patients. Knockdown of CRAMP enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and CRAMP KO mice displayed increased infarct size and myocardial apoptosis. In contrast, the CRAMP peptide reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and I/R injury. The CRAMP peptide inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activation of Akt and ERK1/2 and phosphorylation and nuclear export of FoxO3a. c-Jun was identified as a negative regulator of the CRAMP gene. Moreover, lower level of serum LL-37/neutrophil ratio was associated with readmission and/or death in MI patients during 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CRAMP protects against cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac I/R injury via activation of Akt and ERK and phosphorylation and nuclear export of FoxO3a. Increasing LL-37 might be a novel therapy for cardiac ischemic injury.

Noncoding RNAs in Muscle Atrophy.

Denervation, disuse, fasting, and various diseases could induce skeletal muscle atrophy, which results in the decline of life quality and increase of the mortality risk for patients. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are implicated important in regulating gene expression. Thus, ncRNAs, especially microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), have gained widespread attention as crucial players in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including skeletal muscle atrophy. In this review, we comprehensively described the potential of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers, summarized the profiling of microRNAs and lncRNAs in atrophying muscles, as well as discussed the effects and underlying mechanisms of microRNA machinery proteins, microRNAs, and lncRNAs in skeletal muscle atrophy. Considering the large quantity and variety of ncRNAs, the understanding of ncRNAs in muscle atrophy is still very limited. Future studies are needed to elucidate the possibility of ncRNAs as diagnosis biomarkers and therapeutic targets in muscle atrophy.

Circular RNAs as Potential Theranostics in the Cardiovascular System.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the largest contributor to mortality worldwide. Identification of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for CVDs is urgently needed. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous, abundant, and stable non-coding RNAs formed by back-splicing events. Their role as regulators of gene expression has been increasingly reported. Notably, circRNAs mediate essential physiological and pathological processes in the cardiovascular system. Our first aim, therefore, is to summarize recent advances in the role of circRNAs in cardiac development as well as in pathogenesis of various CVDs. Because circRNAs are stable in circulation and their dynamic changes may reflect different disease stages, they are considered ideal biomarkers. Therefore, our second aim is to review studies that have identified circulating circRNAs as biomarkers for CVDs. Finally, we discuss the shortage of functional studies and the limitations of available clinical studies and provide future perspectives.

Circular RNAs as Novel Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most serious diseases, which are a leading cause of death across the world. Early diagnosis and prognosis prediction are keys for treatment and reduction of death rates. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a critical role in the physiology and pathology of biological system and participate in the development of diseases. In addition, circRNAs are relative stable and abundant. Therefore, many studies have suggested that circRNAs could be used as biomarkers for diseases, such as neurological diseases, cancers, immune diseases, and digestive diseases. Here we summarize recent studies on circRNAs and compare the characteristics of circRNAs with traditional biomarkers. Finally, we highlight the value of circRNAs as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases, including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. In conclusion, circRNAs may be promising biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases.

Circular RNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a group of circular RNA molecules with a 3',5'-phosphodiester bond at the junction site, are generated by back-splicing of precursor mRNAs. Most of the circular RNAs originate from the exon region of the encoded protein, and some are derived from intron regions, antisense transcripts, or long noncoding RNAs. Circular RNAs are abundantly in eukaryotic transcriptome and participate in various biological processes. It is closely associated with various diseases such as tumors, diabetes, nervous system diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. In cardiovascular system, numerous circRNAs have been identified and involved in important processes of cardiovascular development and diseases. Here we will review the latest research progress of circular RNA in cardiovascular diseases. Also, we will outline the specific examples of circRNAs involved in cardiovascular system regulatory effects, including act as miRNA sponges, interaction with RNA-binding proteins, regulated by RNA-binding proteins and serve as biomarkers. In addition, potential mechanisms underlying the regulatory role of circRNAs in cardiovascular diseases will be discussed.

miR-486 inhibits PM2.5-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in human lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells.

BACKGROUND: Environmental exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) threatens public health, which has caused worldwide concerns. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) participate in multiple biological regulation. Among them, miR-486 has been reported to be a beneficial molecule for cell survival in various cell types. However, the potential function of miR-486 in PM2.5-induced cytotoxic is still uncertain. METHODS: The expression of miR-486 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) after A549 cells incubated with PM2.5. Then TUNEL staining and DCFH-DA fluorescence were used to test the apoptosis and ROS generation of A549 cells after exposed to PM2.5 with miR-486 mimic. Western blot was performed to determine the expression of Bax/Bcl2 ratio. In addition, western blot and rescue experiments were conducted to determine the target gene of miR-486. RESULTS: After treated with PM2.5, the expression of miR-486 was decreased. And miR-486 mimic treatment reduced cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by PM2.5 exposure. Further studies showed that miR-486 negatively regulated the protein levels of PTEN and FOXO1. Rescue experiments demonstrated that PTEN and FOXO1 mediated the protective effects of miR-486 in PM2.5-treated human lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our findings identify that miR-486 relieves PM2.5-induced cell injury by targeting PTEN and FOXO1 in human lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells.

Rosiglitazone inhibits PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity in human lung epithelial A549 cells.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to fine particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) leads to global adverse health effects, including increases in morbidity and mortality of respiratory diseases. PM2.5 increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the lung, which further lead to oxidative stress, cell apoptosis and cell death. According to results of previous studies, oxidative stress and subsequent cell apoptosis can be reduced by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in various cell types, however, its role in oxidative stress-related cell apoptosis caused by PM2.5 in respiratory systems is unclear. METHODS: Human lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells were exposed to PM2.5 with or without rosiglitazone (an agonist of PPARγ) treatment. Cellular apoptosis and intracellular oxidative stress were determined by flow cytometry based on FITC Annexin V and DCFH-DA fluorescence, respectively. Western blot was conducted to determine the expression of Bax, Bcl2, PPARγ, P-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, P-STAT3, and STAT3. RESULTS: PPARγ was downregulated in PM2.5-treated A549 cells, and application of rosiglitazone reduced PM2.5-mediated ROS generation and cell apoptosis. In addition, our results indicated that rosiglitazone treatment suppressed PM2.5-induced ERK1/2 and STAT3 activation. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these data suggested that rosiglitazone protects against PM2.5-induced ROS production and cell apoptosis and represses activation of ERK1/2 and STAT3 signaling in A549 cells. Our results indicated that rosiglitazone is a potential therapeutic agent for PM2.5-induced lung diseases.

Dynamic Regulation of Circulating microRNAs During Acute Exercise and Long-Term Exercise Training in Basketball Athletes.

Emerging evidence indicates the beneficial effects of physical exercise on human health, which depends on the intensity, training time, exercise type, environmental factors, and the personal health status. Conventional biomarkers provide limited insight into the exercise-induced adaptive processes. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are dynamically regulated in response to acute exhaustive exercise and sustained rowing, running and cycling exercises. However, circulating miRNAs in response to long-term basketball exercise remains unknown. Here, we enrolled 10 basketball athletes who will attend a basketball season for 3 months. Specifically, circulating miRNAs which were involved in angiogenesis, inflammation and enriched in muscle and/or cardiac tissues were analyzed at baseline, immediately following acute exhaustive exercise and after 3-month basketball matches in competitive male basketball athletes. Circulating miR-208b was decreased and miR-221 was increased after 3-month basketball exercise, while circulating miR-221, miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-210 were reduced at post-acute exercise. The change of miR-146a (baseline vs. post-acute exercise) showed linear correlations with baseline levels of cardiac marker CKMB and the changes of inflammation marker Hs-CRP (baseline vs. post-acute exercise). Besides, linear correlation was observed between miR-208b changes (baseline vs. after long-term exercise) and AT VO2 (baseline). The changes of miR-221 (baseline vs. after long-term exercise) were significantly correlated with AT VO2, peak work load and CK (after 3-month basketball matches). Although further studies are needed, present findings set the stage for defining circulating miRNAs as biomarkers and suggesting their physiological roles in long-term exercise training induced cardiovascular adaptation.

SGK1 inhibits PM2.5-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in human lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells.

Emerging evidence demonstrated that particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) is an important environmental risk factor for lung diseases. Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1(SGK1) was reported to be a crucial factor for cell survival. However, the role of SGK1 in PM2.5-induced cell injury is still unclear. In this work, we firstly found that the expression of SGK1 was decreased in PM2.5-treated human lung alveolar epithelial (A549) cells by western blot. In addition, overexpression of SGK1 significantly attenuated A549 cell apoptosis and reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by PM2.5. Moreover, we found that PM2.5 exposure significantly promoted the ERK1/2 activation and inhibited the AKT activation, whereas overexpression of SGK1 could reverse that. Finally, the results of the rescue experiment showed that MK2206 (AKT inhibitor) could rescue the impact of SGK1 on A549 cell apoptosis, while PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) could not further aggravate the impact. Taken together, our results suggest that SGK1 inhibits PM2.5-induced cell apoptosis and ROS generation via ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathway in human lung alveolar epithelial A549 cells.