Ilex paraguariensis, exercise and cardioprotection: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Studies on strategies to generate cardioprotection have been on the rise. Previous work by our group with an ex vivo model of ischemia/reperfusion has shown that both short-term consumption of yerba mate (YM) and exercise can each preserve cardiac function independently. Surprising, the two strategies together do not, with apparent loss of their respective cardioprotection activity. To improve our understanding of mechanisms involved without reperforming the experiments, we have conducted a retrospective data science-analysis that have produced new insights. The analysis shows that YM generated reductive stress (RS). RS increased redox damage in heart that appears to have led to a protective conditioning. In combination with exercise, the effects of YM inhibited the intermittent ROS generation promoted by exercise, which diminished the adaptive response in heart. These results suggest that an understanding of molecular mechanisms involved with YM-promoted RS in cardiac tissue could lead to improved strategies to induce cardioprotection.

Keywords

• Ilex paraguariensis
• Exercise
• Cardioprotection
• Data science
• Oxidative stress
• Reductive stress