Exercise‐induced mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with early metabolic syndrome: relation with endothelial dysfunction and MMP‐9 (884.7)

Abstract

Exercise mobilizes endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to peripheral blood, and this process can be regulated by matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9). However, it is unknown if these mechanisms work properly in subjects with early metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to determine the effects of exercise on adhesion molecules, EPCs and MMP‐9 in subjects with early MetS. Fifteen subjects with early MetS (37±2yr) and nine healthy subjects (33±3yr) underwent an exercise session and a non‐exercise session, in random order. Adhesion molecules, EPCs and MMP‐9 were evaluated before and 10 minutes after the sessions. Presence of endothelial dysfunction was confirmed by brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD). At baseline, shear rate‐adjusted FMD was lower (P=0.04) and levels of sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1 and MMP‐9 were higher in subjects with MetS (P蠄0.03). No differences were found in number of EPCs between groups. After exercise, levels of sE‐selectin, sICAM‐1 and MMP‐9 were still higher in subjects with MetS (P<0.05). Subjects with MetS presented less CD34+/VEGFR2+ (P=0.02) and CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR2+ cells (P=0.02) and higher MMP‐9 activity (P<0.05) than healthy subjects. There were no differences between moments in non‐exercise session. Thus, subjects with early MetS presented impaired endothelial function at rest and altered response of EPCs to exercise that may be related to increased MMP‐9 activity.Grant Funding Source: Supported by CNPq, CAPES, FAPERJ, FINEP