A team of Brazilian researchers who conducted a study at Dr. Ian Phillip's lab at Keck Graduate Institute, KGI, suggested that they have been able to discover a new gene regulator that is capable of supporting the heart even during a rigorous exercise session.
The new gene regulator has been termed as the MicroRNA 29. So far, we have known that exercises promote heart health and now these researchers have claimed that they are reaching to the molecular basis of why exercises are beneficial for the heart.
Researchers have found that the MicroRNA 29 perform the role of brakes on specific genes and inhibits the proteins produced by those genes. A study conducted on rats over a ten week period found that the rats which trained like athletes for two to three times daily had higher levels of this gene regulator in comparison to the sedentary ones.
The regimen also included swimming with 5 percent weights overload. The hearts of the athletic rats were found to have enlarged, but they were not found to have developed excessive collagen fibers. These fibers come in the way of the pumping action of the heart.
Researchers think that the findings of the study are important for people with heart diseases and congestive heart failure. MicroRNA 29 prevents the buildup of the collagen genes in the heart and so researchers believe that MicroRNA 29 injections can provide some therapeutic value to the individuals with heart conditions.
