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Cell Aug 2022The surprising discovery that the diatomic gas nitric oxide (NO) is generated by mammalian cells and serves to regulate a multitude of physiological processes has... (Review)
Review
The surprising discovery that the diatomic gas nitric oxide (NO) is generated by mammalian cells and serves to regulate a multitude of physiological processes has continued to fascinate biologists for almost four decades. The biochemistry of NO is complex, and novel insights into the control of NO biosynthesis and mechanisms of signal transduction are continuously emerging. NO is a key regulator of cardiovascular function, metabolism, neurotransmission, immunity, and more, and aberrant NO signaling is a central feature of many major disorders including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Here, we discuss the basics of NO biology emphasizing recent advances in the field including novel means of increasing NO bioactivity with therapeutic and nutritional implications.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Humans; Mammals; Nitric Oxide; Nitrites; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35931019
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.010 -
American Journal of Physiology.... May 2018Environmental stress such as extremely warm or cold temperature is often considered a challenge to human health and body homeostasis. However, the human body can adapt... (Review)
Review
Environmental stress such as extremely warm or cold temperature is often considered a challenge to human health and body homeostasis. However, the human body can adapt relatively well to heat and cold environments, and recent studies have also elucidated that particularly heat stress might be even highly beneficial for human health. Consequently, the aim of the present brief review is first to discuss general cardiovascular and other responses to acute heat stress, followed by a review of beneficial effects of Finnish sauna bathing on general and cardiovascular health and mortality as well as dementia and Alzheimer's disease risk. Plausible mechanisms included are improved endothelial and microvascular function, reduced blood pressure and arterial stiffness, and possibly increased angiogenesis in humans, which are likely to mediate the health benefits of sauna bathing. In addition to heat exposure with physiological adaptations, cold stress-induced physiological responses and brown fat activation on health are also discussed. This is important to take into consideration, as sauna bathing is frequently associated with cooling periods in cold(er) environments, but their combination remains poorly investigated. We finally propose, therefore, that possible additive effects of heat- and cold-stress-induced adaptations and effects on health would be worthy of further investigation.
Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Animals; Body Temperature Regulation; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Cold Temperature; Cold-Shock Response; Health Status; Heat-Shock Response; Hemodynamics; Hot Temperature; Humans; Steam Bath
PubMed: 29351426
DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00115.2017 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2018Exercise training is often considered the cornerstone of nonpharmacological therapy for postmenopausal hypertension while aerobic exercise is the mainstay of life style... (Review)
Review
Exercise training is often considered the cornerstone of nonpharmacological therapy for postmenopausal hypertension while aerobic exercise is the mainstay of life style modification for antihypertension. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is well tolerated on most days of the week by most people with postmenopausal hypertension and is not suspected to detract from exercise adherence. That being said, moderate aerobic exercise may be superior for eliciting cardiovascular benefits in hypertensive postmenopausal women and resistance exercise may offer desirable benefits. The beneficial outcomes of exercise training for hypertensive postmenopausal women include improvements in blood pressure, autonomic tone, baroreflex sensitivity, oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), bioavailability, and lipid profiles, as well as cardiovascular function and cardiorespiratory fitness. This partly explains the fact that exercise training programs have a positive effect for cardiovascular disease in hypertensive postmenopausal women. This review is to collect and present the literature of exercise training in postmenopausal hypertension. Our review may provide the current understanding of beneficial effects and mechanisms of exercise intervention for prevention and treatment of stage 1 to 2 hypertensive postmenopausal women.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Exercise; Female; Heart Rate; Humans; Hypertension; Lipid Metabolism; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; Postmenopause; Resistance Training; Ventricular Remodeling
PubMed: 30149647
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092523 -
The Journal of Physiology Oct 2019
Topics: Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Estrogens; Exercise; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Male; Prostaglandins
PubMed: 31571227
DOI: 10.1113/JP278605 -
Methods in Enzymology 2015Circadian clocks in central and peripheral tissues enable the temporal synchronization and organization of molecular and physiological processes of rhythmic animals,... (Review)
Review
Circadian clocks in central and peripheral tissues enable the temporal synchronization and organization of molecular and physiological processes of rhythmic animals, allowing optimum functioning of cells and organisms at the most appropriate time of day. Disruption of circadian rhythms, from external or internal forces, leads to widespread biological disruption and is postulated to underlie many human conditions, such as the incidence and timing of cardiovascular disease. Here, we describe in vivo and in vitro methodology relevant to studying the role of circadian rhythms in cardiovascular function and dysfunction.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Cells, Cultured; Circadian Rhythm; Humans; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Mice; Myocytes, Cardiac; Radio Waves; Telemetry; Thrombosis
PubMed: 25707279
DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2014.11.029 -
Nutrients Aug 2019Hypohydration, defined as a state of low body water, increases thirst sensations, arginine vasopressin release, and elicits renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system... (Review)
Review
Hypohydration, defined as a state of low body water, increases thirst sensations, arginine vasopressin release, and elicits renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation to replenish intra- and extra-cellular fluid stores. Hypohydration impairs mental and physical performance, but new evidence suggests hypohydration may also have deleterious effects on cardiovascular health. This is alarming because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Observational studies have linked habitual low water intake with increased future risk for adverse cardiovascular events. While it is currently unclear how chronic reductions in water intake may predispose individuals to greater future risk for adverse cardiovascular events, there is evidence that acute hypohydration impairs vascular function and blood pressure (BP) regulation. Specifically, acute hypohydration may reduce endothelial function, increase sympathetic nervous system activity, and worsen orthostatic tolerance. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to present the currently available evidence linking acute hypohydration with altered vascular function and BP regulation.
Topics: Body Water; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Dehydration; Humans; Water-Electrolyte Balance
PubMed: 31405195
DOI: 10.3390/nu11081866 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022Angiogenesis is a multi-step process by which new blood capillaries are formed starting from preexisting functional vessels [...].
Angiogenesis is a multi-step process by which new blood capillaries are formed starting from preexisting functional vessels [...].
Topics: Capillaries; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Humans; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Neovascularization, Physiologic
PubMed: 36142885
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810962 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Jun 2016This review presents an overview of descriptive knowledge on human embryonic cardiovascular physiology mostly based on noninvasive assessment by Doppler ultrasonography.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
This review presents an overview of descriptive knowledge on human embryonic cardiovascular physiology mostly based on noninvasive assessment by Doppler ultrasonography. Our objective was to identify and analyze published studies on embryonic cardiovascular function, and summarize available knowledge in this field.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Citations related to human embryonic cardiovascular function were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science using keywords and MeSH terms without any time limitation. The search was restricted to English language articles. Abstracts were screened and full texts of relevant articles were obtained. All articles that reported on physiological aspects of human embryonic cardiovascular function were included. Studies reporting on cardiovascular function after 10 weeks of gestation were excluded. Data were synthesized and presented narratively.
RESULTS
We identified 10 studies that had evaluated cardiovascular function and/or hemodynamics in human embryos at ≤10 weeks of gestation. All of these reported only certain aspects of embryonic cardiovascular function. Embryonic heart rate is associated significantly with gestational age and increases from 6 to 10 weeks of gestation. Cardiac inflow is monophasic during the embryonic period and atria appear to generate higher force during contraction compared with ventricles. Both ventricular inflow and outflow velocities increase with advancing gestation, whereas the Tei index decreases significantly. During the embryonic period, placental blood flow increases with gestation, but absent umbilical artery diastolic flow and umbilical venous pulsations are normal phenomena.
CONCLUSION
There are important differences in normal cardiovascular function between the embryonic and fetal stages of human in utero development.
Topics: Blood Flow Velocity; Gestational Age; Hemodynamics; Humans; Placenta; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Umbilical Arteries; Veins
PubMed: 26830850
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12860 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Nov 2023Circadian rhythms are internal 24-h intrinsic oscillations that are present in essentially all mammalian cells and can influence numerous biological processes. Cardiac... (Review)
Review
Circadian rhythms are internal 24-h intrinsic oscillations that are present in essentially all mammalian cells and can influence numerous biological processes. Cardiac function is known to exhibit a circadian rhythm and is strongly affected by the day/night cycle. Many cardiovascular variables, including heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms, endothelial cell function, and blood pressure, demonstrate robust circadian rhythms. Many experiential and clinical studies have highlighted that disruptions in circadian rhythms can ultimately lead to maladaptive cardiac function. Factors that disrupt the circadian rhythm, including shift work, global travel, and sleep disorders, may consequently enhance the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Some cardiac diseases appear to occur at particular times of the day or night; therefore, targeting the disease at particular times of day may improve the clinical outcome. The objective of this review is to unravel the relationship between circadian rhythms and cardiovascular health. By understanding this intricate interplay, we aim to reveal the potential risks of circadian disruption and discuss the emerging therapeutic strategies, specifically those targeting circadian rhythms. In this review, we explore the important role of circadian rhythms in cardiovascular physiology and highlight the role they play in cardiac dysfunction such as ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmia, diabetes, and myocardial infarction. Finally, we review potential translational treatments aimed at circadian rhythms. These treatments offer an innovative approach to enhancing the existing approaches for managing and treating heart-related conditions, while also opening new avenues for therapeutic development.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Circadian Rhythm; Heart Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular System; Myocardial Infarction; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Mammals
PubMed: 37986555
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942215 -
BioMed Research International 2018Aging is characterized by functional decline in homeostatic regulation and vital cellular events. This process can be linked with the development of cardiovascular... (Review)
Review
Aging is characterized by functional decline in homeostatic regulation and vital cellular events. This process can be linked with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, we discussed aging-induced biological alterations that are associated with CVDs through the following aspects: (i) structural, biochemical, and functional modifications; (ii) autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation; (iii) epigenetic alterations; and (iv) atherosclerosis and stroke development. Aging-mediated structural and biochemical modifications coupled with gradual loss of ANS regulation, vascular stiffening, and deposition of collagen and calcium often disrupt cardiovascular system homeostasis. The structural and biochemical adjustments have been consistently implicated in the progressive increase in mechanical burden and functional breakdown of the heart and vessels. In addition, cardiomyocyte loss in this process often reduces adaptive capacity and cardiovascular function. The accumulation of epigenetic changes also plays important roles in the development of CVDs. In summary, the understanding of the aging-mediated changes remains promising towards effective diagnosis, discovery of new drug targets, and development of new therapies for the treatment of CVDs.
Topics: Aging; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Cardiovascular System; Homeostasis; Humans; Myocytes, Cardiac
PubMed: 29984246
DOI: 10.1155/2018/7156435