Serum neuregulin-1β as a biomarker of cardiovascular fitness

Vaibhav Moondra, Satyam Sarma, Tracy Buxton, Radwan Safa, Gregory Cote, Thomas Storer, Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Douglas B. Sawyer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Neuregulins (NRG) are growth factors that bind to receptors of the erbB family, and are known to mediate a number of processes involved in diverse tissues. Neuregulin-1β is expressed in skeletal muscle and is activated by exercise. We hypothesized that NRG-1β might circulate in the bloodstream and increase as a consequence of physical activity. A study was conducted in healthy subjects to determine if NRG-1β is immunodetectable in human serum, and if so whether levels relate acutely or chronically to exercise. Methods: Nine healthy men underwent three bouts of exercise of varying degrees of intensity on a bicycle ergometer over a period of three weeks. Cardio-respiratory fitness was determined by measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Serum was sampled prior to and immediately after each session (up to 30 minutes post) and serum NRG-1β was quantified utilizing an indirect sandwich ELISA assay developed in our lab. Results: Across subjects, mean serum NRG-1β levels ranged from 32 ng/mL to 473 ng/mL. Individual subjects showed relatively stable levels during the study period that did not change acutely after exercise. Serum NRG-1β demonstrated a positive correlation with VO2max (r2=0.49, p =.044). Conclusions: These preliminary observations suggest that at least in healthy men, serum NRG-1β is an indicator of cardio-respiratory fitness and does not change acutely with exercise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-5
Number of pages5
JournalOpen Biomarkers Journal
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Cardiopulmonary fitness
  • Exercise
  • Growth factor
  • Heregulin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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