Basic Research
The effects of aerobic exercise on myocardial energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration after myocardial infarction
Li Qinfeng, Wei Qin, Liu Xiezhe, Huang Ling
Published 2022-10-25
Cite as Chin J Phys Med Rehabil, 2022, 44(10): 873-877. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2022.10.002
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore any effect of aerobic exercise on cardiac energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration after myocardial infarction.
MethodsForty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a heart failure control group and a heart failure exercise group. Myocardial infarction was induced in the heart failure groups using coronary artery ligation. Four weeks after the successful modeling, the heart failure exercise group underwent 8 weeks of aerobic treadmill exercise. The cardiac function and exercise ability of all of the rats were then observed using echocardiography and the incremental treadmill exercise test. Myocardial creatine phosphate (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the respiratory function of the myocardial mitochondria was evaluated by using cell respirometry.
ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the average PCr content, PCr/ATP ratio, oxygen consumption of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II, left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) and ejection fraction (EF), maximum running speed, exhaustion distance and exhaustion time in the incremental treadmill exercise test were all significantly worse in the heart failure control group. Moreover, the average ATP content, complex I oxygen consumption, left ventricular FS and EF, and the maximum running speed, exhaustion distance and exhaustion time in incremental treadmill exercise of the heart failure exercise group were all superior to those of the heart failure control group.However, no significant differences were observed in the average PCr/ATP ratio between the heart failure exercise and control groups.
ConclusionsRegular aerobic exercise can improve cardiac performance after chronic heart failure, at least in rats. The mechanism may be related to increased levels of myocardial ATP and better mitochondrial complex I functioning. The PCr/ATP ratio may not be a suitable biomarker for evaluating the benefits of exercise for the heart.
Key words:
Aerobic exercise; Myocardial infarction; Heart failure; Energy metabolism; Mitochondrial respiration
Contributor Information
Li Qinfeng
Physical Education and Art College of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Wei Qin
Physical Education and Art College of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Liu Xiezhe
Department of Breast Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
Huang Ling
Department of Neurology, The PLA Rocket Force Medical Center, Beijing 100088, China
