Related Experiment Videos
Systemic responses in patients with intermittent claudication after treadmill exercise
A T Edwards1, A D Blann, V J Suarez-Mendez
1University Department of Surgery, University Hospital of South Manchester, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Treadmill exercise increases neutrophils and thromboxane in claudicant patients, indicating endothelial injury. Reduced antioxidant activity in these patients may worsen free radical damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Peripheral artery disease, characterized by claudication, involves impaired blood flow and endothelial dysfunction.
- Exercise is a key intervention, but its acute effects on markers of inflammation and endothelial injury in claudicant patients require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of short-duration treadmill exercise on systemic neutrophil count, plasma thromboxane, and von Willebrand's factor in patients with claudication compared to healthy controls.
- To assess the role of antioxidant capacity, specifically glutathione peroxidase and selenium levels, in claudicant patients and their response to exercise.
Main Methods:
- A 5-minute treadmill exercise test was performed on patients with claudication and healthy controls.
- Measurements included systemic neutrophil count, plasma thromboxane levels, serum von Willebrand's factor, plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, and plasma selenium concentrations before and at various time points after exercise.
Main Results:
- Claudicant patients exhibited higher resting neutrophil counts and significantly greater increases in neutrophils and plasma thromboxane post-exercise compared to controls.
- Elevated resting von Willebrand's factor (vWF) in claudicants persisted post-exercise, with a further increase observed 60 minutes after exercise.
- Claudicant patients showed lower plasma glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium concentrations, suggesting reduced antioxidant capacity.
Conclusions:
- Short-term treadmill exercise induces neutrophilia and thromboxane production in claudicant patients, correlating with endothelial injury markers like vWF.
- Reduced antioxidant capacity, indicated by lower glutathione peroxidase and selenium levels, may exacerbate exercise-induced endothelial damage in claudication by allowing unopposed free radical action.