Effects of Physical Training on Vascular Function as a Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Hypertension

The role of physical training in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is controversial. The aim of the project is to evaluate the effect of physical training on markers of endothelial function and integrity and to identify those biomarkers associated with a better therapeutic response in patients with PAH and in an experimental model of pulmonary hypertension. Methodology: 1) Study in humans: sample size will be 50 patients with PAH. Responders and non-responders will be identified for a 12-week resistance training program. Before and after the physical training program, endothelial microparticles and circulating vascular progenitor cells, and metabolomic and mitochondrial function parameters in circulating endothelial cells will be analyzed. Patients will be identified in whom a more favorable response to the training program is obtained. Additionally, investigators will evaluate the relationship between this response and the biomarkers both at baseline and their change with the training program. 2) Study in a murine experimental model: investigators will study mice with pulmonary hypertension induced by the administration of Semaxanib (SU5416) and exposure to hypoxia for 3 weeks and control mice. Half of them will exercise on a treadmill for 3 weeks. At the end of the program the right ventricular pressure will be measured and the animals will be sacrificed. Morphometric studies in pulmonary and cardiac tissue, pulmonary endothelial function and metabolomic parameters in cardiac and skeletal muscle will be performed. Differences in these variables between the different experimental groups will be analyzed.