Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates the beneficial effects of physical exercise on human health, which depends on the intensity, training time, exercise type, environmental factors, and the personal health status. Conventional biomarkers provide limited insight into the exercise-induced adaptive processes. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are dynamically regulated in response to acute exhaustive exercise and sustained rowing, running and cycling exercises. However, circulating miRNAs in response to long-term basketball exercise remains unknown. Here, we enrolled 10 basketball athletes who will attend a basketball season for 3 months. Specifically, circulating miRNAs which were involved in angiogenesis, inflammation and enriched in muscle and/or cardiac tissues were analyzed at baseline, immediately following acute exhaustive exercise and after 3-month basketball matches in competitive male basketball athletes. Circulating miR-208b was decreased and miR-221 was increased after 3-month basketball exercise, while circulating miR-221, miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-210 were reduced at post-acute exercise. The change of miR-146a (baseline vs. post-acute exercise) showed linear correlations with baseline levels of cardiac marker CKMB and the changes of inflammation marker Hs-CRP (baseline vs. post-acute exercise). Besides, linear correlation was observed between miR-208b changes (baseline vs. after long-term exercise) and AT VO2 (baseline). The changes of miR-221 (baseline vs. after long-term exercise) were significantly correlated with AT VO2, peak work load and CK (after 3-month basketball matches). Although further studies are needed, present findings set the stage for defining circulating miRNAs as biomarkers and suggesting their physiological roles in long-term exercise training induced cardiovascular adaptation.
Highlights
Systematic physical exercise is an effective clinical option to improve quality of life in many types of patients, and the beneficial effects of exercise on cardiac function and exercise capacity have been well documented
We analyzed the biochemical measurements of 10 athletes at baseline, postacute exercise and long-term exercise training (Table 3)
The results showed that there were no significant changes of destruction parameters (CK, Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)), cardiac markers (CKMB, Troponin T, and NT-ProBNP) after post-acute exercise and long-term exercise training, while inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) was significantly up-regulated after long-term exercise training
Summary
Systematic physical exercise is an effective clinical option to improve quality of life in many types of patients, and the beneficial effects of exercise on cardiac function and exercise capacity have been well documented. Increases of circulating biomarkers of destruction parameters [Creatine kinase (CK), Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)], cardiac markers [Creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CKMB), Troponin T and NH2-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)], inflammatory marker [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP)] have been well documented (Clyne and Olshaker, 1999; Rifai et al, 1999; Bhalla et al, 2004; Hekimsoy and Oktem, 2005). These biomarkers provide limited insight into the exercise-induced adaptive processes. New biomarkers capable of monitoring cardiac changes and evaluating exercise physiology are critically needed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
