The Regulation of Exercise on Vascular Calcification and Its Molecular Mechanism

Vascular calcification is the cause of many cardiovascular diseases, and it is the common pathological manifestation of chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes. The formation of vascular calcification is a complex regulation involving many cells. The smooth muscle cells switch from contractile phenotype to osteogenic phenotype, the mesenchymalization of endothelial cells, and the regulation and directional differentiation into osteoblasts of stem/progenitor cells promote the occurrence and development of vascular calcification. Exercise can inhibit the transition of smooth muscle cells to osteogenic phenotype, improve vascular endothelial function, and mediate the expression of multiple micro RNAs, thereby inhibit vascular calcification effectively. Aerobic exercise, high intensity interval training and stretching exercise can increase vascular compliance,reduce pulse wave velocity and stabilize calcified plaque, which have positive effects on the prevention and treatment of vascular calcification. Many medical and sports organizations advocate that the sports prescription should be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, but the practice is not widespread. This article reviewed the regulation of exercise on vascular calcification and related molecular mechanisms, and suggested a public exercise program to prevent and treat vascular calcification, so as to provide references for the prevention and treatment of vascular calcification through the non-medical way of exercise.