The Effect of Physical Exercise on Endothelial Function

Abstract

Endothelium is essential for maintenance of health of the vessel wall and for the local regulation of vascular tone and structure and haemostasis. Regular physical exercise, which is known to promote a favourable cardiovascular state, may improve endothelial function via several mechanisms. Indeed, it augments blood flow and laminar shear stress, resulting in increased nitric oxide production and bioavailability. In this regard, the beneficial effects of training on endothelial function can be mediated in a number of ways, including synthesis of molecular mediators, changes in neurohormonal release and oxidant/antioxidant balance. On the other hand, physical exercise can also elicit systemic molecular pathways connected with angiogenesis and chronic anti-inflammatory action with consequent modification of the endothelial function. However, its benefit depends on the type and intensity of training performed. While strenuous exercise increases oxidative metabolism and produces a pro-oxidant environment, only regular moderate physical activity promotes an antioxidant state and preserves endothelial function. Thus, exercise may have a beneficial effect on the development of cardiovascular disease through preserving endothelial function.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers at Age 60 to 64 Years

“…One explanation for these findings is thought to be because of beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) on endothelial function and the relatively less well‐studied biomarkers of atherosclerosis 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. The anti‐inflammatory effects of PA have been well documented with consistent findings of decreases in pro‐inflammatory markers C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) following brief exercise interventions,8, 9 in addition to decreases in leptin and increases in adiponectin levels with exercise‐induced fat loss 5.…”

“…The anti‐inflammatory effects of PA have been well documented with consistent findings of decreases in pro‐inflammatory markers C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) following brief exercise interventions,8, 9 in addition to decreases in leptin and increases in adiponectin levels with exercise‐induced fat loss 5. PA also improves endothelial function in terms of its ability to release the protein tissue‐plasminogen activator (t‐PA), but the influence of PA on the cell adhesion molecule E‐selectin is uncertain 6. A better understanding of how PA relates to these markers may provide insight into underlying pathways leading to the development of atherosclerosis 13…”

Influence of eNOS gene polymorphism on cardiometabolic parameters in response to physical training in postmenopausal women

“…Accordingly, the health-beneficial effect of physical exercise is related to an increase of nitric oxide (NO) production (by up-regulation of endothelial NO synthase, eNOS) and/ or decrease of NO inactivation (mainly by up-regulation of superoxide dismutase, SOD) (3,4). Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which shear stress induced by physical exercise promotes alterations in gene expression, especially in eNOS and SOD activities, are not fully understood (5).…”

Is consumption of sugar‐sweetened soft drinks during pregnancy associated with birth weight?

“…In other circumstances, intake of soft drinks with sugar has also been negatively associated with vascular function in terms of elevated blood pressure and increased risks of coronary heart disease (Brown et al, 2011, Huang, Huang, Tian, Yang, & Gu, 2014), preeclampsia (Borgen et al, 2012; Clausen et al, 2001), and preterm delivery in some (Englund‐Ogge et al, 2012, Petherick, Goran, & Wright, 2014), but not in another study (Halldorsson, Strom, Petersen, & Olsen, 2010). Women who exercise little or smoke may be more vulnerable to such effects (Di Francescomarino, Sciartilli, Di Valerio, Di Baldassarre, & Gallina, 2009, Gordon, Lavoie, Arsenault, Ditto, & Bacon, 2008). …”