Experimental studies of the molecular pathways regulated by exercise and resveratrol in heart, skeletal muscle and the vasculature

Abstract

Regular exercise contributes to healthy aging and the prevention of chronic disease. Recent research has focused on the development of molecules, such as resveratrol, that activate similar metabolic and stress response pathways as exercise training. In this review, we describe the effects of exercise training and resveratrol on some of the organs and tissues that act in concert to transport oxygen throughout the body. In particular, we focus on animal studies that investigate the molecular signaling pathways induced by these interventions. We also compare and contrast the effects of exercise and resveratrol in diseased states.

Figure 1

Molecular pathways regulated by exercise training and resveratrol in the heart, skeletal muscle and vasculature. Blue arrows/lines indicate molecular pathways activated by exercise and red arrows/lines indicate molecular pathways activated by resveratrol. AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase; Ang-II, angiotensin-II; COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; eEF2, eukaryotic elongation factor2; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; ET-1, endothelin-1; NFAT, nuclear factor of activated T-cells; NFkB, nuclear factor kB; p70S6K, p70 S6 kinase; PGC1α, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator; SIRT1, sirtuin-1; SOD2, superoxide dismutase-2.