Exercise‐mediated autophagy in cardiovascular diseases

Vessels in motion

“…In the cardiac circulation, diabetic microvascular dysfunction, a major factor in diabetes-associated cardiovascular morbidity, may be alleviated by enhancing mitophagy, 12,13 the selective degradation of mitochondria by autophagy, usually following stress-induced mitochondrial damage. on a similar note, Dai et al recently described the role of autophagy effects on vascular wall tension, 14 which is involved in the exercise-mediated regulation of vascular tone. 14,15 Hartmann et al recently discovered a variation in two genes that predisposed participants to Raynaud's phenomenon, that is, (i) the alpha-2A-adrenergic receptor for adrenaline, ADRA2A, stress receptor that causes microvascular contraction, and (ii) the IRX1 transcription factor, regulating vascular dilatory responses.…”

“…on a similar note, Dai et al recently described the role of autophagy effects on vascular wall tension, 14 which is involved in the exercise-mediated regulation of vascular tone. 14,15 Hartmann et al recently discovered a variation in two genes that predisposed participants to Raynaud's phenomenon, that is, (i) the alpha-2A-adrenergic receptor for adrenaline, ADRA2A, stress receptor that causes microvascular contraction, and (ii) the IRX1 transcription factor, regulating vascular dilatory responses. 3 While these results shift, as the authors state, the "focus from a merely cold-induced phenomenon to a clinical entity in its own right with a distinct genetic architecture," they also explain the necessity for much more pathophysiologytargeted treatment options, for example, through selective ADRA2A inhibition.…”

“…on a similar note, Dai et al. recently described the role of autophagy effects on vascular wall tension, 14 which is involved in the exercise‐mediated regulation of vascular tone 14,15 …”

Exercise and energy

“…10 Another concept that has only rather recently been investigated in relation to exercise is autophagy: The positive modulating effect of exercise on autophagy seems to mediate the cardiovascular protective mechanisms of exercise. 11 Studies of athletic rather than regenerative or therapeutic exercise often focus on the ergogenic mechanisms that enable high performance. However, the interrelation of ergogenic mechanisms and pathophysiology have been investigated by, 12 showing how the Na/K ATPase regulates metabolic reserve-and susceptibility to Western diet-related diseases.…”

“…Another interesting publication has studied, in detail, the mechanism and energetic costs of rebuilding muscle following immobilization 10 . Another concept that has only rather recently been investigated in relation to exercise is autophagy: The positive modulating effect of exercise on autophagy seems to mediate the cardiovascular protective mechanisms of exercise 11 …”