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Scarfò G, Daniele S, Chelucci E, Rizza A, Fusi J, Freggia G, Costa B, Taliani S, Artini P, Martini C, Franzoni F. Regular exercise delays microvascular endothelial dysfunction by regulating antioxidant capacity and cellular metabolism. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17671. [PMID: 37848614 PMCID: PMC10582030 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44928-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is the basis for several unfavorable conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this sense, regular physical activity (regular PA) has been proven to delay cellular aging and prevent endothelial dysfunction related to CVDs. Despite numerous studies involving athletes, little is known about cellular and molecular mechanisms of regular PA among master athletes. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of regular PA on local microcirculatory functions in elderly athletes as compared to age-matched sedentary controls. Moreover, molecular/epigenetic mechanisms (nitric oxide, oxidative stress, PGC-1α, SIRT1 and miR29) were also assessed. The results of the present study showed that regular PA significantly increased local blood flow in post-ischemia and post-heating conditions, as well as NO plasma concentrations, denoting a better endothelial function/microcirculatory efficiency. Moreover, athletes presented a greater plasma antioxidant and increased transcriptional levels of the metabolism regulator PGC-1α. Finally, regular PA enhanced plasma level of SIRT1 and miR29, suggested as epigenetic regulators of redox balance and cellular metabolism. In addition, stimulated local blood flow was directly related to plasma antioxidant capacity, and SIRT1 and miR29 levels. Overall, our data confirm the beneficial effects of regular PA on the cardiovascular profile in elderly athletes and shed light on molecular signals involved in the positive adaptations to exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Scarfò
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Antonio Rizza
- Interventional Cardiology Division, Gaetano Pasquinucci Heart Hospital, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 54100, Massa, Italy
| | - Jonathan Fusi
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Freggia
- Cardiology Unit, Gaetano Pasquinucci Heart Hospital, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, 54100, Massa, Italy
| | - Barbara Costa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Artini
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ferdinando Franzoni
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Piccarducci R, Daniele S, Fusi J, Chico L, Baldacci F, Siciliano G, Bonuccelli U, Franzoni F, Martini C. Impact of ApoE Polymorphism and Physical Activity on Plasma Antioxidant Capability and Erythrocyte Membranes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:E538. [PMID: 31717561 PMCID: PMC6912376 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8110538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The allele epsilon 4 (ε4) of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE protein plays a pivotal role in the synthesis and metabolism of amyloid beta (Aβ), the major component of the extracellular plaques that constitute AD pathological hallmarks. Regular exercise is an important preventive/therapeutic tool in aging and AD. Nevertheless, the impact of physical exercise on the well-being of erythrocytes, a good model of oxidative stress and neurodegenerative processes, remains to be investigated, particularly depending on ApoE polymorphism. Herein, we evaluate the oxidative status, Aβ levels, and the membrane's composition of erythrocytes in a cohort of human subjects. In our hands, the plasma antioxidant capability (AOC), erythrocytes membrane fluidity, and the amount of phosphatidylcholine (PC) were demonstrated to be significantly decreased in the ApoE ε4 genotype and non-active subjects. In contrast, erythrocyte Aβ content and lipid peroxidation increased in ε4 carriers. Regular physical exercise was associated with an increased plasma AOC and membrane fluidity, as well as to a reduced amount of erythrocytes Aβ. Altogether, these data highlight the influence of the ApoE genotype on erythrocytes' well-being and confirm the positive impact of regular physical exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Piccarducci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (R.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (R.P.); (S.D.)
| | - Jonathan Fusi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (J.F.); (L.C.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Lucia Chico
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (J.F.); (L.C.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (J.F.); (L.C.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (J.F.); (L.C.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (J.F.); (L.C.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Ferdinando Franzoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (J.F.); (L.C.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (R.P.); (S.D.)
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