High-volume endurance exercise training stimulates hematopoiesis by increasing ACE NH₂-terminal activity

One of the health benefits of endurance exercise training (ET) is the stimulation of hematopoiesis. However, the mechanisms underlying ET-induced hematopoietic adaptations are understudied. N–Acetyl–Seryl–Aspartyl–Lysyl–Proline (Ac-SDKP) inhibits proliferation of early hematopoietic progenitor cells. The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) NH₂-terminal promotes hematopoiesis by inhibiting the anti-hematopoietic effect of Ac-SDKP. Here we demonstrate for the first time the role of ACE NH₂-terminal in ET-induced hematopoietic adaptations. Wistar rats were subjected to 10 weeks of moderate-(T1) and high-(T2) volume swimming-training. Although both protocols induced classical ET-associated adaptations, only T2 increased plasma ACE NH₂-domain activity (by 40%, P=0.0003) and reduced Ac-SDKP levels (by 50%, P<0.0001). T2 increased the number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs; ∼200%, P=0.0008), early erythroid progenitor colonies (∼300%, P<0.0001) and reticulocytes (∼500%, P=0.0007), and reduced erythrocyte lifespan (∼50%, P=0.022). Following, Wistar rats were subjected to T2 or T2 combined with ACE NH₂-terminal inhibition (captopril (Cap) treatment: 10 mg.kg⁻¹.day⁻¹). T2 combined with ACE NH₂-terminal inhibition prevented Ac-SDKP decrease and attenuated ET-induced hematopoietic adaptations. Altogether, our findings show that ET-induced hematopoiesis was at least partially associated with increased ACE NH₂-terminal activity and reduction in the hematopoietic inhibitor Ac-SDKP.