Biochemical Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Angiogenesis

Abstract

Angiogenesis refers to the growth of new capillaries from a pre-existing capillary bed which can occur during normal physiological and pathological conditions by sprouting and non-sprouting processes, which are activated by different stimuli. Various studies have demonstrated that exercise increases the expression of several growth factors for both sprouting and non-sprouting angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor and other cytokines in skeletal and cardiac muscle, which are associated with an increase in the number of capillaries in the heart and skeletal muscle. Exercise is known to stimulate the release of several pro- and anti-angiogenic proteins and transcription factors and it appears that hypoxia and/or ischemia play a major role in the growth and expansion of new capillaries and has also been suggested that mechanical forces, such as shear stress or muscle overload, stimulate exercise-induced angiogenesis. More importantly, an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence exercise-induced angiogenesis may contribute to the development of potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of different diseases including hypertension and ischemic heart disease.