A new study showed that new heart muscles form in the hearts of older mice. It was published this month in Circulation.
In the study, eight weeks of running exercise increased the formation of new heart muscle cells or cardiomyocytes in adult mice. (∼4.6 fold).
The authors tested for the presence of new cardiomyocytes by detecting 15N-thymidine incorporated in the cells using multi-isotope imaging mass spectrometry (MIMS).
The study also showed that exercise after a heart attack or myocardial infarction results in a “robust cardiomyogenic response” in the border zone of the infarcted area.
miR-222, a microRNA that increases after exercise in animals and humans, is responsible for the increase in cardiomyocytes. They knew that by inhibiting miR-222, they could stop new cardiomyocytes from forming.
This study adds new information to what we know about new heart muscle regeneration after a heart attack. That is why people with heart attacks go into cardiac rehabilitation.
Additionally, this study shows that older persons can make new heart muscle fibers with exercise.
Don’t wait for a heart attack to happen before you exercise. Physical activity can prevent one from happening. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Don’t Get Sick!
Related:
Exercise alone can induce autophagy
Reference:
Lerchenmüller C, Vujic A, Mittag S, Wang A, Rabolli CP, Heß C, Betge F, Rangrez AY, Chaklader M, Guillermier C, Gyngard F, Roh JD, Li H, Steinhauser ML, Frey N, Rothermel B, Dieterich C, Rosenzweig A, Lee RT. Restoration of Cardiomyogenesis in Aged Mouse Hearts by Voluntary Exercise. Circulation. 2022 Aug 2;146(5):412-426. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.057276. Epub 2022 Jul 6. PMID: 35862076.
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