Background: Physical activity (PA) is the basis of cardio rehabilitation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are posttranscriptional gene regulators involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our study aimed to monitor the dynamics of nine pre-selected circulating miRNAs in patients during a cardio rehabilitation.
Methods: A total of 30 patients (women = 10%; age = 52.7 ± 10.8 years) with ACS were included in the study. PA (including number of steps per day and number of steps during brisk walking) of patients from intervention group was monitored using smart watches for three months. In the control arm, patients received general recommendations for PA after MI. Plasma was collected at the time of ACS, and then 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month after ACS. Completely 5 follow-up (FU) samples were measured in each patient. Twelve pre-selected circulating miRNAs were measured using quantitative PCR.
Results: Biochemical parameters such as glycemia, TC, LDL- C, and triglycerides declined during FU time points (all P<0.0001) as well as systolic blood pressure (P=0.03). From anthropometrical parameters active body mass declined (P<0.04) and metabolic rate increased (P<0.02) during FU time points. We observed an increasing trend in the quantity of miR-142 (P=0.001) during FU time. At the time of ACS, patients with non-STEMI ACS (N=12) had higher levels of miR-92a (P=0.03) compared to STEMI. Multiple linear regression identified a strong inverse correlation between VO2/kg and miR-155; miR-146a and miR-21 (all P<0.02). Active body mass was negatively correlated with miR-155, miR-126 (P<0.0001) and with miR-130a (P<0.03). Metabolic rate was inversely correlated with miR-155 (P<0.007) and with miR-146a (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Our study has shown that circulating miRNAs can reflect changes in metabolism and vascular endothelial cells during cardio rehabilitation.
