Enhancement of motor functional recovery in thoracic spinal cord injury: voluntary wheel running versus forced treadmill exercise

Spinal cord injury necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies, with exercise therapies showing promise in promoting recovery. This study investigated the impact of rehabilitation exercise on functional recovery and morphological changes following thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. After a 7-day recovery period after spinal cord injury, mice were assigned to either a trained group(10 weeks of voluntary running wheel or forced treadmill exercise) or an untrained group. Bi-weekly assessments revealed that the exercise-trained group, particularly the voluntary wheel exercise subgroup, displayed significantly improved locomotor recovery, more plasticity of dopaminergic and serotonin modulation compared with the untrained group. Additionally, exercise interventions led to gait pattern restoration and enhanced transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials. Despite consistent injury areas across groups, exercise training promoted terminal innervation of descending axons. In summary, voluntary wheel exercise shows promise for enhancing outcomes after thoracic contusive spinal cord injury, emphasizing the role of exercise modality in promoting recovery and morphological changes in spinal cord injuries. Our findings will influence future strategies for rehabilitation exercises, restoring functional movement after spinal cord injury.

Treadmill exercise improves hippocampal neural plasticity and relieves cognitive deficits in a mouse model of epilepsy

Epilepsy frequently leads to cognitive dysfunction and approaches to treatment remain limited.Although regular exercise effectively improves learning and memory functions across multiple neurological diseases,its application in patients with epilepsy remains controversial.Here,we adopted a 14-day treadmill-exercise paradigm in a pilocarpine injection-induced mouse model of epilepsy.Cognitive assays confirmed the improvement of object and spatial memory after endurance training,and electrophysiological studies revealed the maintenance of hippocampal plasticity as a result of physical exercise.Investigations of the mechanisms underlying this effect revealed that exercise protected parvalbumin interneurons,probably via the suppression of neuroinflammation and improved integrity of blood-brain barrier.In summary,this work identified a previously unknown mechanism through which exercise improves cognitive rehabilitation in epilepsy.

Treadmill exercise exerts a synergistic effect with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on neuronal apoptosis and synaptic-axonal remodeling

Treadmill exercise and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation are both practical and effective methods for the treatment of cerebral ischemia.However,whether there is a synergistic effect between the two remains unclear.In this study,we established rat models of ischemia/reperfusion injury by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 hours and reperfusion for 24 hours.Rat models were perfused with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(MSC-exos)via the tail vein and underwent 14 successive days of treadmill exercise.Neurological assessment,histopathology,and immunohistochemistry results revealed decreased neuronal apoptosis and cerebral infarct volume,evident synaptic formation and axonal regeneration,and remarkably recovered neurological function in rats subjected to treadmill exercise and MSC-exos treatment.These effects were superior to those in rats subjected to treadmill exercise or MSC-exos treatment alone.Mechanistically,further investigation revealed that the activation of JNK1/c-Jun signaling pathways regulated neuronal apoptosis and synaptic-axonal remodeling.These findings suggest that treadmill exercise may exhibit a synergistic effect with MSC-exos treatment,which may be related to activation of the JNK1/c-Jun signaling pathway.This study provides novel theoretical evidence for the clinical application of treadmill exercise combined with MSC-exos treatment for ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

TWO METHODS TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF TREADMILL EXERCISE TESTING──ANALYSIS OF 147 CASESIN CONTRAST WITH CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

objective To study how to improve the accuracy of treadmill exercise testing(TET).Methods TET was performed before coronary angiography (CAG) for 147 subjects admitted into our departmentbecause of suspicion of angina or coronary artery disease (CAD), then: (1) Every subject was inquired about hissymptoms and physically examined in detail before the testing. Chest pain was divided into ischemic (ICP) ornon - ischemic (NICP) pattern. (2) Informations got from TET, like angina, ST segment depression, and SPB ratio,were analyzed in detail. Results (1) When the patients showed chest pain of ICP pattern and positive TETresults, the sensitivity of TET would be 95%, for patients with NICP chest pain, the negative result of TET meansthat their coronary arteries is normal with the accurate possibility of 98%. (2) By our new criteria of TET, thesensitivity and specificity of TET were 89% and 95% respectively, both higher than those in theliterature. Conclusion in this report, we found TET was more sensitive and accurate if we knew the symptomsprior, especially in detail the characteristics of chest pain, and consider different parameters in combination.

Significance of Q-Tc,Q-Tr and A Q-Tc during Treadmill Exercise Test in Predicting Coronary Artery Disease

Seventy-eight patients underwent coronary angiography and submaximal tre-admill exercise test to evaluate the Q-Tc,Q-Tr and ΔQ-Tc criteria for predicting co-ronary artery disease(CAD).The sensitivity,specificity,predicting value and correctdiagnostic rate of the Q-Tc and Q-Tr criteria were 84,76,83,81 percent and 69,88,89,77 percent,respectively,which had no significant differences when compared with ST de-pression.The Q-Tc had higher specificity(94%)than that of ST depression but less sen-sitivity(58%).These criteria could reflect the severity of coronary artery disease identi-fied with coronary angiography.Therefore,these criteria are usefel to interpret the resultsof stress test.

Evaluation of Treadmill Exercise Test Induced U-wave Inversion in Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

U-wave changes during treadmill exercise test were compared between 34 patientswith CAD and 33 normal controls.All of them were confirmed by coronary angiographv.Tenpatients with CAD and 1 normal subject in this study showed U-wave inversion during exercisetest.Of the 10 patients,4 had significant stenosis in one-vessel and 6 in multi-vessel of the ma-jor coronary arteries.The sensitivity,specificity and predictive value of exercise-inducedU-wave inversion were 29％, 97％ and 91％,respectively.It is proposed that exercise inducedU-wave inversion is a reliable predictive index of CAD.

QRS Prolongation as an Indicator of Risk of lschemic Ventricular Arrhythmia in Treadmill Exercise Test

Objective:The clinical value of QRS prolngation as a indicator of risk ofischemic ventricular arthythmia induced by exercise in the patient withischemic heart disease.Methods:17 case patients with ventricular arthythmias were studiedbefore and after myocardial revascularization.These results werecompared with 19 control patients with no ventricular arrhythmia.Theresting and peak exercise electrocardiogram were examined with respectto QRS duration,ST-segment depression,and JT intervals.Result:The QRS duration at rest was similar in case and control patientsand increased significantly with exercise in both groups.However,theQRS prolongation was larger in the case group.In both groups,the QRSprolongation was associated with significant ST-segment depression.TheQRS prolongation】15msec predicted ischimia-related ventriculararrhythmia in 73% of the patients.After myocardial revascularization,there were no QRS prolongation with exercise in either group.Conclusion:QRS prolongation】14msec may be a useful indicator of riskof ischemic ventricular arrhythmia related to exercise in the patients withtschemie heart disease.

Inhalation of shin-I essential oil enhances lactate clearance in treadmill exercise

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Shin-I essential oil inhalation on blood lactate changes in rats subjected to treadmill exercise.Methods:Adult male Sprague Dawley rats(n=12) were randomly divided into the control or the Shin—1 group.Rats were subjected to a treadmill exercise program(15 m/min for 30 mim.After exercise,rats were exposed to 200 ui.of water or Shin—I essential oil.res|ieclively.using a nebulizer for 180 min during the recovery period.Blood samples were collected every 15 min.Blood glucose and lactate concentrations were determined in a CMA 600 analyzer.Results:The basal glucose and lactate levels wen? no significantly different between two groups.After exercise,glucose levels were slightly increased to about 110%-120%of the basal level in both groups.lactate levels of both groups reached to 110%-140%of basal levels during exercise.In the recovery period,lactate levels further increased to 180%of the basal level and were maintained at a plateau in the control group.However,lactate levels gradually decreased to 609—657 of the basal level in the Shin-I group.Lactate clearance was significantly enhanceil after Shin-I essential oil inhalation.Conclusions:Our results provide evidence that Shin-I essential oil inhalation may accelerate recovery after exercise in rats.

Shortness of breath in clinical practice: A case for left atrial function and exercise stress testing for a comprehensive diastolic heart failure workup

The symptom cluster of shortness of breath(SOB) contributes significantly to the outpatient workload of cardiology services. The workup of these patients includes blood chemistry and biomarkers, imaging and functional testing of the heart and lungs. A diagnosis of diastolic heart failure is inferred through the exclusion of systolic abnormalities, a normal pulmonary function test and normal hemoglobin, coupled with diastolic abnormalities on echocardiography. Differentiating confounders such as obesity or deconditioning in a patient with diastolic abnormalities is difficult. While the most recent guidelines provide more avenues for diagnosis, such as incorporating the left atrial size, little emphasis is given to understanding left atrial function, which contributes to at least 25% of diastolic left ventricular filling; additionally, exercise stress testing to elicit symptoms and test the dynamics of diastolic parameters, especially when access to the "gold standard" invasive tests is lacking, presents clinical translational gaps. It is thus important in diastolic heart failure work up to understand left atrial mechanics and the role of exercise testing to build a comprehensive argument for the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure in a patient presenting with SOB.

Serum oxidizability potential of ischemic heart disease patients is associated with exercise test results and disease severity

AIM:To find out whether serum oxidizability potential correlates with exercise test(EXT) parameters and predicts their results in chronic ischemic heart disease(IHD) patients.METHODS:Oxidizability potential was determined in a group of chronic IHD patients who underwent a symptom limited EXT upon initiation of a cardiac rehabilitation program.The thermo-chemiluminescence(TCL) assay was used to assess serum oxidizability potential.This assay is based on heat-induced oxidation of serum,leading to the formation of electronically excited species in the form of unstable carbonyls,which further decompose into stable carbonyls and light energy(low chemiluminescence).Measured photons emission is represented by a kinetic curve which is described by its amplitude and slope(= ratio).We assessed the correlations of TCL ratio with exercise duration,metabolic equivalents(METS),maximal heart rate(mHR),maximal systolic BP,> 1 mm S-T depression,diabetes,hypertension,smoking,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) > or < 40%,previous myocardial infarction,and aorto-coronary bypass surgery and compared to the TCL ratio measured in a group of healthy controls.RESULTS:A high TCL ratio(%) correlated well with METS(r = 0.84),with mHR(r = 0.79) and with exercise induced S-T segment shift(r = 0.87,P < 0.05).A lower serum oxidizability potential,expressed as a low TCL ratio,thus suggestive of a previous high oxidative stress,was found in IHD patients compared to healthy controls,and,in particular,in patients with low LVEF%.The TCL ratio(%) in IHD patients was 193 ± 21,compared to 215 ± 13 in controls(P < 0.05),and was 188 ± 14.7 in patients with LVEF < 40% as compared to 200 ± 11.9 in those with LVEF > 40%(P < 0.01).A trend for lower TCL ratio(%) was found in diabetic,hypertensive,and post-coronary bypass surgery patients.A paradoxically low TCL ratio(low oxidizability potential) was observed in patients without S-T depression compared to patients with S-T depression(189 ± 22 vs 201 ± 15,P = NS),due to the fact these patients had a much lower LVEF% and a lower exercise capacity.CONCLUSION:Serum oxidizability potential is associated with EXT parameters,results,and IHD severity.TCL ratio is an "easy-to-measure marker" that might be incorporated into risk assessment and prediction in chronic IHD patients.

Low-intensity Treadmill Exercise Promotes Rat Dorsal Wound Healing

In order to investigate the promoting effect of low-intensity treadmill exercise on rat dorsal wound healing and the mechanism, 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups： exercise group（Ex） and non-exercise group（non-ex）. The rats in Ex group were given treadmill exercise for one month, and those in non-ex group raised on the same conditions without treadmill exercise. Both groups received dorsal wound operation with free access to food and water. By two-week continuous observation and recording of the wound area, the healing rate was analyzed. The blood sample was collected at day 14 post-operation via cardiac puncture for determination of the number of endothelial progenitor cells（EPCs） by flow cytometry, and the concentrations of relevant cytokines such as basic fibroblast growth factor（b FGF）, endothelial nitric oxide synthase（e NOS） and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） were measured by ELISA. The skin tissue around the wound was dissected to observe the vascular density under the microscope after HE staining, to detect the m RNA level of VEGFR2 and angiopoietin-1（Ang-1） receptor using RT-q PCR, and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin（αSMA） and type collagenⅢ（ColⅢ） using Western blotting. It was found that the wound area in Ex group was smaller at the same time point than in non-ex group. The number of circulating EPCs was greater and the concentrations of vasoactive factors such as VEGF, e NOS and b FGF were higher in Ex group than in non-ex group. HE staining displayed a higher vessel density in Ex group than in non-ex group. Moreover, the m RNA expression of VEGFR2 and Ang-1 detected in the wound tissue in Ex group was higher than in non-ex group. Meanwhile, the protein expression of αSMA and Col Ⅲwas more abundant in Ex group than in non-ex group. Conclusively, the above results demonstrate Ex rats had a higher wound healing rate, suggesting low-intensity treadmill exercise accelerates wound healing. The present work may provide some hint for future study of treating refractory wound.

Angiographic Profile and Treadmill Test Relationship of Women with Chest Pain Suggestive of Coronary Artery Disease

Aim: The aim of present study was to analyze the prevalence and pattern of coronary artery disease (CAD) among women who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and Treadmill Test (TMT). Methods: A total of 100 consecutive women patients for coronary angiogram were studied at Department of Cardiology, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India on over a period of 6 months from February 2008. Total 65 women completed TMT stress test. The patients were subjected to CAG and TMT. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 20.0 software. Results: A total of 100 women patients were included. Among that 66% patients had hypertension and 47% patients had diabetes mellitus. The CAG revealed the presence of 17%, 13% and 15% of single vessel disease, double vessel disease, and triple vessel disease respectively. Vessel involvements were notably higher in positive TMT values during stress test. The sensitivity and specificity of TMT for detecting coronary artery disease in women were 61% and 69% respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that, the findings of the present study effectively demonstrated higher predictive value of TMT in women with chest pain suggestive of CAD.

Predictive value of preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing on early outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement after repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Objective Cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET)is helpful to identify right ventriclar(RV)dysfunction in patients with rapair of Tetralogy of Fallot(rTOF),but its predictive value on early outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement(PVR)of these patients is unclear when similar preoperative ventricular size and function in cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR)exist.The aim of this study is to evaluate whether CPET is useful to predict the early outcomes of rTOF patients after PVR.

Metabolic Response of Diabetic Patients with Obesity and No Obesity during Bruce Treadmill Test

Background: Physical exercise alters many biochemical parameters of human body. For that reason, it is recommended as a cure for many diseases of modern life like obesity and diabetics. This study investigates the biochemical and hormonal changes in diabetic, hypertensive and obese individuals after Bruce treadmill tests of different durations and intensities. Method: Our sample consisted of 59 individuals, divided into four groups: A: 12 normal body-weight diabetics, B: 11 overweight diabetics, C: 14 normal body-weight non-diabetics and D: 22 overweight non-diabetics. 66.1% of them were men. The comparisons were done between: 1) Diabetics versus non-diabetics;2) Over-weight versus normal body-weight persons;3) Over-weight diabetics versus normal weight diabetics;4) Over-weight non-diabetics versus normal body-weight non-diabetics of 5) Hypertensives versus non-hypertensives. All individuals performed an intense, short duration treadmill exercise test, independently of the presence or not of DM2, hypertension and obesity. Results: The participants with DM2 (obese and non-obese) had decreased levels of glucose, triglycerides and TSH (P Conclusion: Our results proved that the physical exercise, even if it has short duration like that of the Bruce test, has beneficial results in persons with DM2, obesity and arterial hypertension, as well as in normal persons.

Prognostic Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test in Elderly Women with Heart Failure and Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction

The prognostic role of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in elderly women with chronic heart failure (HF) has not yet been clarified. We assessed the incremental value of CPET variables for risk stratification in female HF patients with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We prospectively followed up 131 female HF outpatients aged 72 [interquartile range 62 - 77] years after a symptom limited CPET. 34% had ischemic heart disease and 14% permanent atrial fibrillation, 24% were in NYHA class III. LVEF was 50% [interquartile range 36 - 62], peak oxygen consumption was 11.3 [interquartile range 9.2 - 13.5] ml/kg/min;the slope of the regression line relating ventilation to CO2 output was 33.9 [interquartile range 30.3 - 44.9];40% of patients showed exercise oscillatory breathing during CPET. During a median follow-up of 18 months [interquartile range 8 - 54], overall 39 patients (29.7%) met the combined end-point of cardiovascular mortality or HF admission using a time-to-first event approach. Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, slope, exercise oscillatory breathing were independently associated to cardiovascular mortality or HF admission. When CPET ventilatory variables were added to clinical and echocardiographic parameters, prediction of the combined point improved significantly (AUC 0.755 (95% CI 0.662 to 0.832) vs 0.634 (95% CI 0.536 to 0.725), p = 0.016). In conclusion, among elderly female HF patients the CPET derived parameters EOB and VE/VCO2 slope emerged as strong prognostic markers, with additive predictive value to clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with both reduced and preserved LVEF.

New Parameters of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: Practical Applications

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) has become the cornerstone of risk stratification for heart failure patients. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2) was the first CPX variable to demonstrate prognostic value and is still the most frequently analyzed variable in clinical practice. More recently, several investigations have shown that ventilatory efficiency, typically expressed as the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope, is a strong prognostic marker in patient with HF. The majority of studies report the VE/VCO2 slope to be prognostically superior to peak VO2 which underscore the clinical importance of assessing ventilatory efficiency in HF patients. Other expressions of ventilatory inefficiency like exercise oscillatory breathing (EOB), oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PET CO2) at rest, and haemodynamic responses such as heart rate recovery (HRR) are strong predictors of outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). So there is a need for simplified approaches that integrate the additive prognostic information from cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

2D and 3D Analysis of Magnetocardiographic Data in the Evaluation of the Ventricular Repolarization Changes under Exercise Stress Test in Patients with CAD

Objective: Non-invasive methods of evaluation of electrical activity of the heart are still the most important functional diagnostics methods in coronary artery disease (CAD) detection. It has been shown that magnetocardiography (MCG) appears to be rather sensitive in diagnostics of chronic CAD even in the patients at rest with unchanged ECG. The objective of present paper is to investigate the influence of non-invasive tests with a physical exerciseon MCG parameters in the patients with chronic CAD. Materials and Methods: In total, 10 patients were examined (mean age 41 ± 5 years) suffering from chronic stable angina (CAD). CAD was diagnosed by clinical evidences, bicycle ergometria positive data and coronary angiography (stenosis > 70% in at least onr main coronary angiography). The control group consisted of 14 healthy volunteers. MCG mapping was performed by means of a 7-channel SQUID-magnetometer installed in an unshielded room. The MCG examination was conducted twice, whilst patients were at rest and after exercise on the bicycle (in healthy persons it was conducted immediately after exercise and in the patients, after the ST depression and/or chest pain had disappeared). The homogeneity and electric motive force (EMF) direction disturbances on magnetic field distribution maps on an extent of ST-T interval have been evaluated. Results: Statistically significant differences between groups examined based both on 2D and 3D quantitative criteria were demonstrated. Conclusion: The application of a set of MCG criteria based on the analysis both of ventricular depolarization and repolarization will enable a greater degree of accuracy for the results of the exercise stress test, especially in doubtful cases.

Preoperative Exercise Testing Is a Better Predictor of Postoperative Complications than Pulmonary Function Testing for Patients with Lung Cancer

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility of exercise testing (ET) for predicting postoperative complications in patients with impaired pulmonary function. Methods: Thirteen patients were prospectively enrolled. The enrollment criteria were FEV1.0% 8 by the Goddard classification or interstitial pneumonia on chest computed tomography. Patients underwent testing for pulmonary function, six-minute walking test (6MWT), and stair-climbing test (SCT). Postoperative cardiopulmonary complications (PCPCs) were recorded. Results: Four patients developed PCPCs. There were no significant differences between the patients with PCPCs (n = 4) and those without PCPCs (n = 9) for background data and PFT. The distances achieved in the 6MWT were 503 ± 72.7 m for patients without PCPCs and 369 ± 50.7 m for patients with PCPCs (p = 0.011). The SCT climbing heights were 20.4 ± 5.3 m for patients without PCPCs and 14.9 ± 4.0 m for patients with PCPCs (P = 0.187). Cut-off points, including a 6MFT distance of less than 400 m, SCT height lower than 15 m, and SCT climbing speed less than 8.5 m/min, were predictive of CPCP. Conclusions: Exercise testing is more feasible for predicting postoperative cardiopulmonary complications than stationary pulmonary function testing.

Autonomic Function in Individuals with Slow Heart Rate Response following an Exercise Stress Test

Objective: To examine the autonomic function using HRV measures in apparently healthy individuals undergoing exercise stress test (EST) and demonstrating slow HRR response. Methods: HRV was measured with 12 lead ECGs during graded EST and analyzed via a post-processing method. Autonomic function was determined by Power Spectral Analysis of the very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and the ratio of LF/HF. We correlated HRV indices with resting, exercise, and recovery data. Results: No differences were found in anthropometric measurements, peak EST HR, and METS between individuals with slow HRR (below 18 b/min) compared with controls (HRR > 18 b/min). Only the VLF component of the HRV indices was statistically different (p = 0.03) at one-minute post-exercise compared with controls. Additionally, a significant correlation between HRR and resting LF and HF indices was found in the individuals with slow HRR but not in the controls. Conclusion: In apparently healthy individuals with slow HRR post-EST, autonomic function did not demonstrate any differences at any phase of the EST, including at one minute of recovery. However, a significant correlation was found between resting LF and HF powers and HRR in individuals with slow vagal reactivation post-exercise. The clinical and prognostic implications of such observation deserve further investigation.

Health Evaluation for Hypertensive Population Using Exercise Testing and Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire

Objectives This study aims to assess the impacts of hypertension on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), as well as cardiovascular functional status (CVFS). Methods An instrument was presented based on WHOQOL-BREF and SP-16 questionnaire and exercise testing. 57 normotensive and 76 hypertensive subjects aged 35-65 year-old participated the health survey using this instrument. Based on the exercise testing results of the two groups, a discriminate function was established and used to investigate cardiovascular risk factors for hypertensive population. Results The results showed that persons with hypertension rated significantly lower scores on physical health (i.e. limitation in performing daily activities and problems with work or mobility) than did normotensives (P < 0.01). The discriminant score obtained from the exercise testing results was capable of reflecting the impacts of hypertension on CVFS. Conclusions The method presented in this paper provides a more powerful tool to estimate the effects of health interventions and medical therapy for hypertensive population than just self-rated HRQOL questionnaire.