Effects of exercise training and cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine bromide before and after myocardial infarction: role on cardiac and autonomic function, and inflammatory profile

Abstract

The autonomic nervous system derangement has been associated with an increased inflammatory status and together with changes in ventricular function results in high mortality rates in patients after myocardial infarction (MI). Cardiovascular, immune and autonomic exercise training (ET) benefits have led many researchers to suggest the ET as an important nonpharmacologic tool in the treatment and prevention of MI. On the other hand, the administration of pyridostigmine bromide (PYR), a drug that inhibits acetylcholinesterase action, has demonstrated positive effects on autonomic function in healthy subjects and coronary patients (in response to exercise). However, associations between these therapeutic strategies, ET and PYR, in the prevention and treatment of cardiac and autonomic changes, and inflammatory profile triggered by MI have been little studied and deserve attention. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ET (aerobic and resistance) associated with administration of PYR, previously and after MI, on cardiac abnormalities, and autonomic dysfunction in rats. Furthermore, the impact of these interventions on systemic and tissue inflammatory responses of infarcted rats will be verified. Guided by 3 subprojects, the realization of this study may have a significant clinical impact, clarifying mechanisms for preventing and / or mitigating the adverse effects of an ischemic event. (AU)