Exercise and the hallmarks of peripheral arterial disease. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peñín-Grandes, Saúl; Martín-Hernández, Juan; Valenzuela, Pedro L.; López-Ortiz, Susana; Pinto-Fraga, José; Solá, Lourdes del Río; Emanuele, Enzo; Lista, Simone; Lucia, Alejandro; Santos-Lozano, Alejandro
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 350(2022)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis -- Inflammation -- Lower limb myopathy -- Peripheral arterial disease -- Physical exercise -- Vascular dysfunction; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.04.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease. The main hallmarks of this condition are atherosclerosis and myopathy in the lower limbs, with progressive deterioration of the functional capacity and quality of life of affected individuals. There is evidence supporting physical exercise as an effective alternative for the treatment of PAD. In this context, unraveling the biological mechanisms by which exercise intervention might improve the clinical manifestation of PAD can help gain insight into the pathophysiology of this condition, as well as explore new treatment and preventive approaches. In this review, we thus describe the different mechanisms by which exercise could impact the different hallmarks of PAD. Physical exercise positively modulates pathways related to inflammation and the atherosclerotic process and can attenuate the progression of lower-limb myopathy, with subsequent improvements in patients' functional capacity and health-related quality of life. At the whole-body level, these improvements translate into a better functional status and wellbeing. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Exercise positively modulates the mechanisms related to inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction involved in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Physical exercise attenuates myopathy progression in lower-limb muscles in PAD. Aforementioned improvements translate into a better functional status and HRQoL in patients with PAD.