Exercise-induced changes in plasma S-Klotho levels are associated with the obtained enhancements of heart rate variability in sedentary middle-aged adults: the FIT-AGEING study

• Published in: Journal of physiology and biochemistry 2024-05, Vol.80 (2), p.317-328
• Main Authors: Navarro-Lomas, Ginés, Plaza-Florido, Abel, De-la-O, Alejandro, Castillo, Manuel J., Amaro-Gahete, Francisco J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Aged; Aging; Aging - blood; Aging - physiology; Animal Physiology; Autonomic nervous system; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Exercise; Female; Glucuronidase - blood; Heart Rate; High-Intensity Interval Training; Human Physiology; Humans; Interval training; Klotho protein; Klotho Proteins; Male; Middle age; Middle Aged; Original Article; Parameters; Parasympathetic nervous system; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical training; Plasma; Plasma levels; Sedentary Behavior; Sympathetic nervous system; Vagus nerve; Variability
• ISSN: 1138-7548; 1877-8755
• DOI: 10.1007/s13105-023-01005-8

The shed form of the Klotho protein (S-Klotho) is considered a biomarker of longevity, but it is still unknown whether the levels are related to heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV); both of them greatly influenced by the ageing process, physical fitness, exercise, and health status. This study aimed (i) to investigate the association between S-Klotho plasma levels with HR and HRV parameters and (ii) to examine the association of exercise-induced changes in S-Klotho and those obtained in HR and HRV parameters after a 12-week exercise intervention in sedentary middle-aged adults. Sixty-six sedentary middle-aged adults participated in this study (50% women; 45–65 years old). Participants were randomized into 4 groups: (a) a control group (no exercise), (b) a physical activity recommendation from the World Health Organization group, (c) a high-intensity interval training group, and (d) a high-intensity interval training group adding whole-body electromyostimulation. S-Klotho plasma levels, HR, and HRV parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, high frequency, stress score, and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio) were measured. At baseline, S-Klotho plasma levels were not related to HR and HRV parameters. After the intervention, exercise-induced changes in S-Klotho plasma levels were positively associated with changes in SDNN ( β =0.261; R 2 =0.102; p =0.014) and negatively related to changes in stress score and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio (all β =−0.257; R 2 ranges between 0.092 and 0.131; all p