UCLA

Background

Despite the association of physical activity with improved cardiovascular outcomes and the association of high coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores with poor prognosis, elite endurance athletes have increased CAC. Yet, they nevertheless have better cardiovascular survival. We hypothesized that exercise may transform vascular calcium deposits to a more stable morphology.

Methods

To test this, hyperlipidemic mice (Apoe^-/-) with baseline aortic calcification were separated into 2 groups (n = 9/group) with control mice allowed to move ad-lib while the exercise group underwent a progressive treadmill regimen for 9 weeks. All mice underwent blood collections and in vivo ¹⁸F-NaF μPET/μCT imaging both at the start and end of the exercise regimen. At euthanasia, aortic root specimens were obtained for histomorphometry.

Results

Results showed that, while aortic calcification progressed similarly in both groups based on µCT, the fold change in ¹⁸F-NaF density was significantly less in the exercise group. Histomorphometric analysis of the aortic root calcium deposits showed that the exercised mice had a lower mineral surface area index than the control group. The exercise regimen also raised serum PTH levels twofold.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that weeks-long progressive exercise alters the microarchitecture of atherosclerotic calcium deposits by reducing mineral surface growth, potentially favoring plaque stability.