Skeletal muscle dysfunctions in pulmonary arterial hypertension: Effects of aerobic exercise training

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is associated with skeletal muscle myopathy and atrophy and impaired exercise tolerance. Aerobic exercise training has been recommended as a non-pharmacological therapy for deleterious effects imposed by pulmonary arterial hypertension. Aerobic physical training induces skeletal muscle adaptations via reduced inflammation, improved anabolic processes, decreased hypoxia and regulation of mitochondrial function. These benefits improve physical exertion tolerance and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of aerobic exercise to skeletal muscle disfunctions in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension are not well understood yet. This minireview highlights the pathways involved in skeletal muscle adaptations to aerobic exercise training in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Effects of voluntary running on the skeletal muscle of rats with pulmonary artery hypertension

“…The underlying mechanisms of such exercise benefits, however, are not well determined, especially concerning skeletal muscles, since few studies on experimental models of PAH have evaluated the effect of exercise regimens (e.g., Moreira-Gonçalves et al, 2015 ; McCullough et al, 2020 ; Vieira et al, 2020 ). Despite the lack of studies, in a recent review ( Drummond et al, 2023 ), our group showed that aerobic exercise training can provide protection and reduce muscle atrophy, increase muscle capillarization and improve mitochondrial function. Nevertheless, we pointed out that studies on skeletal muscle’s structural, cellular and molecular adaptations to exercise are crucial for the development of effective preventive and/or therapeutic approaches.…”