In patients with intermittent claudication, exercise training ameliorates inflammation by reducing oxidative stress. A total of 41 patients with intermittent claudication (Rutherford 3) were included in the study (with 21 patients treated by endovascular revascularization (ER), and 20 patients without ER). All patients were referred to home-based exercise training. Absolute and initial claudication distance (ACD, ICD) and ABI (ankle-brachial index) were measured. ROS (reactive oxygen species) formation was measured using the luminol analogue L-012. Follow-up was performed after 3 months. ROS production after NOX2 (NAPDH oxidase 2) stimulation showed a significant reduction in both groups at follow-up (PTA group: p = 0.002, control group: p = 0.019), with a higher relative reduction in ROS in the PTA group than in the control group (p = 0.014). ABI measurements showed a significant increase in the PTA (peripheral transluminal angioplasty) group (p = 0.001), but not in the control group (p = 0.127). Comparing both groups at follow-up, ABI was higher in the PTA group (p = 0.047). Both groups showed a significant increas ACD and ICD at follow-up (PTA group: ACD: p = 0.001, ICD: p < 0.0001; control group: ACD: p = 0.041, ICD: p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between both groups at follow-up (ACD: p = 0.421, ICD: p = 0.839). Endovascular therapy in combination with exercise training leads to a lower leukocyte activation state with a reduced NOX2-derived ROS production paralleled by an improved ABI, ACD and ICD. Our data support the strategy to combine exercise training with preceding endovascular therapy.
Keywords: exercise training; oxidative stress; percutaneous transluminal angioplasty; peripheral arterial disease; reactive oxygen species.