Tai Chi Improves Coronary Heart Disease Risk by Inactivating MAPK/ERK Pathway through Serum miR‐126

Abstract

Background. Tai Chi is effective in preventing heart disease (CHD) risk, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of CHD and can be activated by miR-126. Tai Chi may exert its protective function through the miR-126-modulated MAPK pathway. Methods. The CHD patients after PCI were randomized into the CG group (CG) (n = 19, normal care) and Tai Chi group (TG) (Tai Chi intervention, n = 17). Epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) (one main adverse cardiovascular event of CHD), HR (heart rate), QoL (quality of life) scores, and balance performance were measured in the two groups. The body fat content, abdominal subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat were measured to reflect the improvement of adipose tissue dysfunction. The levels of miR-126 and MAPK-associated molecules were measured in peripheral blood leukocytes. Meanwhile, the effects of miR-126 silence and mimic on MAPK-associated molecules were also explored in cardiac cell H9C2. Results. After the 3-month intervention, Tai Chi reduced EATV and HR and increased QoL scores and balance performance, respectively (P<0.05). The fat percentage, body fat mass, and BMI were also significantly reduced after Tai Chi intervention (P<0.05). The levels of miR-126, MAPK, JNK, and ERK in the TG group were lower than those in the CG group (P<0.05). The miR-126 levels had a strong relationship with the values of EATV, HR, and QoL scores (P<0.05). miR-126 silence or mimic inactivated or activated MAPK-associated molecules in the cardiac cell lines. Conclusions. Tai Chi improved CHD risk by inactivating the MAPK/ERK pathway via serum miR-126.

Does tai chi improve psychological well-being and quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular risk factors? A systematic review

“…These studies were conducted in China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, South Korea, and Australia. There were 12 studies that enrolled people with chronic heart failure [ 35 , 36 , 38 , 45 , 49 – 51 , 62 , 64 – 67 , 72 ], nine studies with type 2 diabetes [ 41 , 48 , 52 , 57 – 59 , 63 , 68 , 69 ], eight studies with coronary heart diseases [ 39 , 40 , 43 , 44 , 47 , 61 , 70 , 71 ], seven studies with hypertension [ 37 , 42 , 46 , 53 , 55 , 56 , 60 ], and one study with stroke [ 54 ]. The sample size of the included studies ranged from 16 to 326, with an average of 95, totalling 3525 participants.…”

“…Thirty studies [ 35 – 40 , 42 – 49 , 51 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 59 – 67 , 70 – 72 ] reported the effects of Tai Chi on QoL.…”

“…The improvement of QoL measured by CQQC in the Tai Chi plus Chinese herbal medicine group was greater than that of the Chines herbal medicine alone group in people with CHD [ 70 ]. Similar findings were found in the Tai Chi combined with the usual care group, as measured by the abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) in people with hypertension [ 60 ].…”

Effects of Tai Chi on health status in adults with chronic heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…What is more, Tai Chi was also demonstrated the effect on preventing heart disease risk. Previous studies proved that Tai Chi could improve coronary heart disease prognosis by inactivating the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway via serum miR-126 and affecting serum levels of the miR-24 and miR-155 (53,54).…”

Physical Exercise Potentially Targets Epicardial Adipose Tissue to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with Metabolic Diseases: Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Emerge as Major Therapeutic Targets

“…Jo et al [ 73 ] demonstrated that 3 months of exergame and treadmill exercise showed similar effects in reducing EFT and improving markers of cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function, including VO 2 -max and flow-mediated dilation in postmenopausal women with high CVD risk. Zhang et al [ 74 ] revealed that 90 min of Tai Chi exercise daily for 3 months could reduce EFT, lower heart rate, and increase the quality of life of patients with heart disease. Mechanistically, this evidence was supported by reduced levels of microRNA (miR)-126, which is one of the prominent markers of inflammation related with elevated CVD risk [ 75 , 76 ].…”