The Effect of Garlic and Voluntary Exercise on Cardiac Angiogenesis in Diabetes: The Role of MiR-126 and MiR-210

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, leading to endothelial
dysfunction and angiogenesis impairment . MiR-126 and miR-210 support angiogenic response in endothelial cells.
Objective: The present study sought to explore the effect of garlic and voluntary exercise, alone or together, on miR-126
and miR-210 expressions and cardiac angiogenesis in rats with type 1 diabetes.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 7): Control, Diabetes, Diabetes+Garlic, Diabetes+Exercise, and
Diabetes+Garlic+Exercise. Diabetes was induced in the animals by streptozotocin (ip, 50 mg/kg). The rats were then fed raw
fresh garlic homogenate (250 mg/kg) or were subjected to voluntary exercise, or to combined garlic and voluntary exercise for
6 weeks. MiR-126 and miR-210 expressions in the myocardium were determined by real time PCR, and the serum lipid profile
was measured by enzymatic kits. Angiogenesis was evaluated by immunostaining for PECAM-1/ CD31 in the myocardium.
Results: Diabetes reduced both cardiac miR-126 expression and angiogenesis (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was a
miR-210 expression increase in the myocardium of diabetic animals (p < 0.001). However, those effects reversed either
with garlic or voluntary exercise (p < 0.01). Moreover, treating diabetic rats with garlic and voluntary exercise combined
had an additional effect on the expressions of miR-126 and miR-210 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, both voluntary exercise
and garlic significantly improved serum lipid profiles (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The induction of diabetes decreased angiogenesis in the myocardium, whereas our treatment using
long‑term voluntary exercise and garlic improved myocardial angiogenesis. These changes were possibly owing to the
enhancement of myocardial miR-126 and miR-210 expressions. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2018; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)