Effects of structured home-based exercise training on circulating endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial function in patients with intermittent claudication. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pasqualini, Leonella; Bagaglia, Francesco; Ministrini, Stefano; Frangione, Maria Rosaria; Leli, Christian; Siepi, Donatella; Lombardini, Rita; Marini, Ettore; Naeimi Kararoudi, Meisam; Piratinskiy, Alexander; Pirro, Matteo
• Is Part Of: Vascular medicine. Volume 26:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 633
• Page End: 640
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: endothelial progenitor cells -- flow-mediated vasodilation -- peripheral artery disease (PAD) -- physical activity; Blood-vessels -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Peripheral vascular diseases -- Periodicals; Vascular Diseases -- Periodicals; Vaisseaux sanguins -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Maladies vasculaires périphériques -- Périodiques; 616.13
• DOI: 10.1177/1358863X211020822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1358-863X

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise training improves walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), endothelial microparticles (EMPs), and endothelial dysfunction could play a role in this process. Methods: We measured EPCs and EMPs in a group of 60 patients with IC, and in a control group of 20 individuals without IC, before a treadmill test and 2, 24, and 48 hours after the test. Thirty patients with IC were randomly assigned to perform a 12-week home-based exercise training program. The EPC count, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, pain-free walking time (PFWT), and maximum walking time (MWT) were measured at the baseline and after the exercise training program. Results: In patients with IC, EMPs significantly increased 2 hours after the treadmill test, whereas EPCs significantly increased after 24 hours. Among the subjects assigned to complete the training program, we observed a significant increase in the number of EPCs after 12 weeks, as well as an improvement in FMD, PFWT, and MWT. A significant correlation between the variation of EPCs, FMD, and MWT was found. The increase of EPCs and FMD were independent determinants of the walking capacity improvement, without significant interaction. Conclusion: Our results suggest that EPCs mobilization contributes to the improvement of walking capacity in patients with IC undergoing structured physical training. A number of different, partly independent, mechanisms are involved in this process, and our results highlight the potential role of EMPs release and endothelial function improvement.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04302571