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Vagal determinants of exercise capacity

Author

Listed:
  • Asif Machhada

    (Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London
    UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London)

  • Stefan Trapp

    (Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London)

  • Nephtali Marina

    (Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London)

  • Robert C.M. Stephens

    (University College London Hospitals NIHR Biomedical Research Centre)

  • John Whittle

    (University College London)

  • Mark F. Lythgoe

    (UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London)

  • Sergey Kasparov

    (University of Bristol)

  • Gareth L. Ackland

    (Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London
    Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London)

  • Alexander V. Gourine

    (Centre for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London)

Abstract

Indirect measures of cardiac vagal activity are strongly associated with exercise capacity, yet a causal relationship has not been established. Here we show that in rats, genetic silencing of the largest population of brainstem vagal preganglionic neurons residing in the brainstem’s dorsal vagal motor nucleus dramatically impairs exercise capacity, while optogenetic recruitment of the same neuronal population enhances cardiac contractility and prolongs exercise endurance. These data provide direct experimental evidence that parasympathetic vagal drive generated by a defined CNS circuit determines the ability to exercise. Decreased activity and/or gradual loss of the identified neuronal cell group provides a neurophysiological basis for the progressive decline of exercise capacity with aging and in diverse disease states.

Suggested Citation

  • Asif Machhada & Stefan Trapp & Nephtali Marina & Robert C.M. Stephens & John Whittle & Mark F. Lythgoe & Sergey Kasparov & Gareth L. Ackland & Alexander V. Gourine, 2017. "Vagal determinants of exercise capacity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15097
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15097
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