Effects of exercise training on mobilization and functional activity of blood-derived progenitor cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to determine whether regular exercise training (ET) is effective at promoting the mobilization of CPCs and improving their functional activity in patients with recently acquired myocardial infarction(STEMI). Regular physical training has been shown to improve myocardial perfusion and cardiovascular function. This mayberelatedin part to a mobilization of bonemarrow-derived circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) as well as an enhanced vascularisation. Methods 37 patients with STEMI were randomly assigned to an ET group or a non-ET group(controls). Two weeks after STEMI, three weeks after regular ET and three months after ET, BNP levels, exercise echocardiography and exercise spiroergometry were evaluated. The number of CD34+/CD45+ and CD133+/CD45+CPCs was measured by flow cytometry analysis. The migration capacity of the CPCs was determined with a boyden chamber and the clonogenic capacity by CFU-assay. Results In the ET-group the number and migration capacity of CPCs increased significantly after regular exercise training. The BNP level decreased significantly from 121 ± 94 to 75 ± 47 pg/ml (p 2max (from 1641 ± 522 to 1842 ± 724 ml/min, p Conclusions Regular physical activity appears to predispose the mobilization and enhanced functional activity of CPCs, a phenomenon which might lead to an improved cardiac function in patients with recently acquired acute myocardial infarction.

Keywords

• Exercise training
• Cytokines
• Progenitor Cells
• Myocardial Infarction
• Rehabilitation