Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a serious threat to human health. Exercise plays an important role in both the prevention and treatment of CVD and is one of the key non-pharmacological interventions. Exercise can regulate the level of exerkine secreted by different tissue cells, directly affect the cardiovascular system or play a role in cardiovascular protection by improving cardiovascular risk factors. Exerkine such as meteorin-like protein (Metrnl), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and exosomal microRNA (miRNA) play an important role in regulating vascular and cardiac diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, cardiac ischemia-reperfusion and myocardial infarction, as well as their risk factors. Exploring the signaling pathways and mechanisms by which Metrnl, BDNF, FGF21, and exosomal miRNAs exert cardiovascular protective effects can provide novel insights into exercise-based strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control* ; Exercise/physiology* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/physiology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/physiology* ; Cardiovascular System/physiopathology* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Hypnosis is a promising tool in the management of various conditions, such as anxiety and chronic pain. Preliminary studies have shown that hypnosis can directly affect the cardiovascular system, as it increases parasympathetic activation and reduces sympathetic activity. However, the literature related to the effects of hypnosis on cardiovascular health is scarce, mainly due to misconceptions about hypnosis among researchers and medical professionals. This opinion paper examines the role that hypnosis may play in cardiovascular health, highlighting the physiological mechanisms behind it. The evidence suggests that hypnosis has both direct (e.g., changes in the activity of the autonomic nervous system) and indirect (e.g., changes in healthy behaviours) effects on the cardiovascular system; however, further studies are needed to properly define its mechanisms of action and its applicability in improving cardiovascular health. Thus, this opinion paper advocates the adoption of the term "hypno-cardiac physiology" to identify a new research area that gathers experts from neuroscience and cardiovascular science with the joint aim of seeking further understanding of the effects of hypnosis on the cardiovascular system. The adoption of a dedicated term to identify the study of the cardiovascular response to hypnosis will encourage its implementation in cardiovascular health interventions, promoting awareness of its effects among the public and the healthcare community, and promoting the formation of dedicated multidisciplinary research groups and dedicated educational training for healthcare professional interested in its applications. Please cite this article as: Leo DG, Keller SS, Proietti R. Hypno-cardiac physiology: Aiming for an organised study of the physiological effects of hypnosis on the cardiovascular system. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):457-461.
Humans ; Autonomic Nervous System/physiology* ; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena ; Cardiovascular System/physiopathology* ; Hypnosis

Two-pore-domain potassium channels (K2P) family is widely expressed in many human cell types and organs, which has important regulatory effect on physiological processes. K2P is sensitive to a variety of chemical and physical stimuli, and they have also been critically implicated in transmission of neural signal, ion homeostasis, cell development and death, and synaptic plasticity. Aberrant expression and dysfunction of K2P channels are involved in a range of diseases, including autoimmune, central nervous system, cardiovascular disease and others. The scope of this review is to give a detailed overview of the structure, function, pharmacological regulation, and related diseases of TREK-1 channels, a member of the K2P family.
Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain/genetics* ; Humans ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases/physiopathology* ; Autoimmune Diseases/metabolism* ; Central Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology*

This study designs an intermittent pneumatic pressurization device with STM32 series single chip as the core. The working state of the air pump and the plurality of air chambers is controlled by the IO port of the single chip microcomputer, and the circulating inflation of the plurality of air bags is realized. The pressure monitoring system consists of a silicon piezoresistive pressure sensor, a high-precision operational amplifier and a 12-bit AD converter which monitors the gas pressure of each gas path in real time to ensure the safety of the equipment. The system is easy to operate, simple in function, and has strong practicability.
Blood Circulation ; Cardiovascular System/physiopathology* ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Pressure

Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; therapy ; Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; therapy ; Humans

Cardiovascular diseases are life-threatening illnesses with high morbidity and mortality. Suppressed vagal (parasympathetic) activity and increased sympathetic activity are involved in these diseases. Currently, pharmacological interventions primarily aim to inhibit over-excitation of sympathetic nerves, while vagal modulation has been largely neglected. Many studies have demonstrated that increased vagal activity reduces cardiovascular risk factors in both animal models and human patients. Therefore, the improvement of vagal activity may be an alternate approach for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, drugs used for vagus nerve activation in cardiovascular diseases are limited in the clinic. In this review, we provide an overview of the potential drug targets for modulating vagal nerve activation, including muscarinic, and β-adrenergic receptors. In addition, vagomimetic drugs (such as choline, acetylcholine, and pyridostigmine) and the mechanism underlying their cardiovascular protective effects are also discussed.
Acetylcholine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Cholinergic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; drug effects ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Vagus Nerve ; drug effects ; physiopathology

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. GDF-15 expression is dramatically upregulated during acute brain injury, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation, suggesting its potential value as a disease biomarker. It has been suggested that GDF-15 has neurotropic effects in the nervous system. Our studies showed that GDF-15 modulated the expression of neuronal Kand Caion channels and increased the release of excitatory transmitter in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice. GDF-15 is also involved in the complex modulation of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Here, we reviewed studies involving the modulation of GDF-15 expression and its mechanisms, the primary pathological and physiological functions of GDF-15 in neurological and cardiovascular systems, and its role in cancer progression. The biological effects and the values of GDF-15 in basic research and clinical applications were also addressed.
Animals ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Disease Progression ; Growth Differentiation Factor 15 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mice ; Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; Nervous System ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Prefrontal Cortex ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Up-Regulation

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the difference between the successive changes in the heartbeat cycle, and it is produced in the autonomic nervous system modulation of the sinus node of the heart. The HRV is a valuable indicator in predicting the sudden cardiac death and arrhythmic events. Traditional analysis of HRV is based on a multielectrocardiogram (ECG), but the ECG signal acquisition is complex, so we have designed an HRV analysis system based on photoplethysmography (PPG). PPG signal is collected by a microcontroller from human's finger, and it is sent to the terminal via USB-Serial module. The terminal software not only collects the data and plot waveforms, but also stores the data for future HRV analysis. The system is small in size, low in power consumption, and easy for operation. It is suitable for daily care no matter whether it is used at home or in a hospital.
Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Photoplethysmography ; instrumentation ; Sinoatrial Node ; physiopathology ; Software

Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Child ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; physiopathology

Animals ; Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; Periplaneta ; chemistry ; Physical Conditioning, Animal