Serum MicroRNA Expression Patterns in Subjects After the 5-km Exercise Are Strongly Associated With Cardiovascular Adaptation

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported dysregulated during exercise. However, the changes of specific serum miRNAs during the 5-km run test with intensity of 51–52% maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O(2)max) and their association with traditional cardiovascular-related indicators remain well-characterized. Levels of miR-1, miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181, and miR-210 were detected in 120 young subjects before and after the exercise training by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Besides, the levels of cardiac troponin I (cTNI), myoglobin (Myo), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured and the correlation between levels of serum miRNAs and biochemical parameters was also analyzed. Compared with resting state, the serum levels of miR-1, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181, and miR-210 were significantly increased after exercise training. Serum levels of miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-210 after exercise training were positively correlated with Myo, CK-MB, and LDH, respectively, while miR-1, miR-146a, miR-181, and miR-155 were positively correlated with the levels of IL-6. Additionally, all the five miRNAs were negatively correlated with IMA levels. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of miR-146a, AST, LDH, and IL-6 in serum were risk factors, while low IMA contents were a protective factor for cardiovascular adaptation during exercise. In conclusion, the dynamic changes of miRNAs under the condition of the 5-km continuous running contribute to the adaptive regulation of the cardiovascular function of the body.