Physical Exercise Protects Against Endothelial Dysfunction in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Abstract

Increasing evidence shows that endothelial cells play critical roles in maintaining vascular homeostasis, regulating vascular tone, inhibiting inflammatory response, suppressing lipid leakage, and preventing thrombosis. The damage or injury of endothelial cells induced by physical, chemical, and biological risk factors is a leading contributor to the development of mortal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of endothelial injury remains to be elucidated. Notably, no drugs effectively targeting and mending injured vascular endothelial cells have been approved for clinical practice. There is an urgent need to understand pathways important for repairing injured vasculature that can be targeted with novel therapies. Exercise training-induced protection to endothelial injury has been well documented in clinical trials, and the underlying mechanism has been explored in animal models. This review mainly summarizes the protective effects of exercise on vascular endothelium and the recently identified potential therapeutic targets for endothelial dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction in children with newly diagnosed Graves’ disease

“…Physical activity has been shown to have positive effects on the treatment of ED, including an increase in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a decrease in oxidative stress, an increase in the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, a suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increase in the activity of the AMPK SIRT1 and miR-126. Two important exercise-protection sensors (SIRT1 and miR-126) could serve as brand-new therapeutic targets for the treatment of endothelial injury [ 41 ].…”

Exercise as therapy for neurodevelopmental and cognitive dysfunction in people with a Fontan circulation: A narrative review

“…Endothelial dysfunction may be an early predictor of neurodegenerative disease ( 105 ). Aerobic and resistance exercise training have independently been shown to improve endothelial function in healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular disease ( 106 – 108 ), providing further evidence to support the relationship between exercise and brain health. Improvement in endothelial function following a 3-month exercise intervention has been associated with improved overall cognition in individuals with coronary artery disease ( 109 ).…”

Exercise sustains the hallmarks of health

“…Exercise exerts beneficial effects on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases partly via endothelial protection 80 , 81 and also by decreasing the Th2 inflammatory response of the airways. 82 During exercise, fitness level could modulate the concentration and secretion of salivary antimicrobial proteins, which function as the first line of defense against invading microorganisms.…”