A maximal exercise bout increases the number of circulating CD34+/KDR+ endothelial progenitor cells in healthy subjects. Relation with lipid profile.
Mobilization of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) might explain exercise-induced improvement of endothelial function. We assessed whether a maximal exercise bout could alter the number of circulating EPC in healthy subjects and whether this effect is related to their cardiovascular risk profile. Additionally, we investigated possible mediators of this effect, namely nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release. Healthy subjects (group 1, n = 11; group 2, n = 14) performed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Numbers of CD34+/kinase insert domain receptor (KDR)+ cells were determined by flow-cytometric analysis, either after magnetic separation of CD34+ cells (group 1) or starting from whole blood (group 2). Serum concentrations of VEGF and NO metabolites were measured by using ELISA. Following exercise, EPC increased by 76% (15.4 +/- 10.7 cells/ml vs. 27.2 +/- 13.7 cells/ml; P = 0.01) in group 1 and by 69% in group 2 (30.9 +/- 14.6 cells/ml vs. 52.5 +/- 42.6 cells/ml; P = 0.03). The increase in EPC correlated positively with LDL and total cholesterol/HDL ratio and negatively with peak oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold. VEGF levels increased with exercise, with a strong trend toward significance (P = 0.055). NO levels remained unchanged. The present study demonstrates that a maximal bout of exercise induces a significant shift in CD34+ cells toward CD34+/KDR+ cells. This response was larger in subjects with a less favorable lipid profile.
Van Craenenbroeck
Emeline M F
EM
Dept. of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. Emeline.VanCraenenbroeck@ua.ac.be
Vrints
Christiaan J
CJ
Haine
Steven E
SE
Vermeulen
Katrien
K
Goovaerts
Inge
I
Van Tendeloo
Viggo F I
VF
Hoymans
Vicky Y
VY
Conraads
Viviane M A
VM
D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002452:Cell Count; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D008055:Lipids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D010100:Oxygen