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Exercise Training Improves Brachial Artery Endothelial Function, but Does Not Alter Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

The study aimed to systematically review the effects of exercise training (EX) on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Five electronic databases were searched: (i) patients with PAD aged ≥ 18; (ii) structured EX ≥ 2 weeks; (iii) measured brachial artery FMD; and (iv) measured blood inflammatory biomarkers. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. EX increased FMD but had no effect on C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Subgroups with moderate intensity had a greater increase in FMD than subgroups with vigorous intensity. There was no difference in effect on FMD and three inflammatory biomarkers between subgroups training for ≤ 12 weeks and > 12 weeks of EX, < 50 min and ≥ 50 min of session duration, and < 150 min and ≥ 150 min of weekly volume, respectively. These results suggest that EX-induced improvement in vascular function can be independent of the improvement of systemic inflammation.

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Data Availability

The data used and analyzed in the current study are available upon reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3875 Holman St, Houston, TX, 77204-6015, USA

    Junghoon Lee, Aliasghar Zarezadehmehrizi, Emily C. LaVoy, Melissa M. Markofski & Yoonjung Park

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Contributions

JL, EL, MM, and YP conducted a study design. JL, AZ, and YP conducted literature review and data extraction. JL and YP performed statistical analysis. JL, EL, MM, and YP drafted the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yoonjung Park.

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Lee, J., Zarezadehmehrizi, A., LaVoy, E.C. et al. Exercise Training Improves Brachial Artery Endothelial Function, but Does Not Alter Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J. of Cardiovasc. Trans. Res. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-023-10451-0

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