Effect of upper- and lower-limb exercise training on circulating soluble adhesion molecules, hs-CRP and stress proteins in patients with intermittent claudication

J. M. Saxton, I. Zwierska, K. Hopkinson, E. Espigares, S. Choksy, S. Nawaz, R. Walker, A. G. Pockley

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Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of exercise training on levels of circulating biomarkers associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and risk of cardiovascular events in patients with intermittent claudication.

Methods: Circulating levels of soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sE-selectin), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and stress proteins (Hsp60 and Hsp70) in patients randomised to a 24-week programme of arm- or leg-cranking exercise were compared with those in usual care controls.

Results: Arm and leg exercise similarly improved lower-limb aerobic exercise capacity (20% vs 19%, respectively; P < 0.001) and maximum walking distance (30% vs 35%, respectively; P < 0.001). Improvements in training limb-specific peak oxygen consumption were attenuated for patients in the highest vs lowest quartile for circulating sVCAM-1 levels at baseline (3% vs 25% respectively, P < 0.001). Although circulating hs-CRP levels tended to be lower in the arm-cranking group (−1.55 [95% CI: −1.06 to −2.26] mg l−1), exercise training had no effect on circulating levels of soluble adhesion molecules or stress proteins.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that high levels of circulating sVCAM-1 are associated with an attenuated exercise training response and that arm-cranking exercise may provide an effective stimulus for evoking systemic anti-inflammatory adaptations in patients with intermittent claudication.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)607-613
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

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