Molecular Aspects of Exercise-induced Cardiac Remodeling

Cardiol Clin. 2016 Nov;34(4):515-530. doi: 10.1016/j.ccl.2016.06.002. Epub 2016 Aug 25.

Abstract

Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling is typically an adaptive response associated with cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and renewal, increased cardiac myocyte contractility, sarcomeric remodeling, cell survival, metabolic and mitochondrial adaptations, electrical remodeling, and angiogenesis. Initiating stimuli/triggers of cardiac remodeling include increased hemodynamic load, increased sympathetic activity, and the release of hormones and growth factors. Prolonged and strenuous exercise may lead to maladaptive exercise-induced cardiac remodeling including cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmia. In addition, this article describes novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of heart failure that target mechanisms responsible for adaptive exercise-induced cardiac remodeling, which are being developed and tested in preclinical models.

Keywords: Cardiac hypertrophy; Cardiac myocyte; Cardiac remodeling; Drug targets; Exercise; Molecular mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced / physiology*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / metabolism*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Biology / methods*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Ventricular Remodeling / physiology*