Impact of exercise intensity early after myocardial infarction in the cardiac remodeling process

Abstract

Cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction is associated with poor outcome. Thus, strategies that attenuate remodeling improve the prognosis post-infarction.Several studies suggest that exercise training can modulate important cardiovascular actions, including remodeling. However, the best period to initiate the exercise training program after myocardial infarction is unknown. In previous study, in comparison with late exercise, early exercise after coronary occlusion did not attenuate the remodeling process. It is accept that early exercise could increase left ventricular parietal stress, which is a stimulus to progressive remodeling. In this project, we will study the effects of three intensities of exercise (light, moderate, intense), in comparison with sedentary infarcted animals, initiated four days after the coronary occlusion in rats. In addition, we will analyze potential mechanisms involved in the cardiac remodeling process including myocyte sectional area,ventricular function, collagen account, cardiac apoptosis, metalloproteinase 2 and 9, energy metabolism, and inflammatory cytokines.