Blood flow restriction enhances post-resistance exercise angiogenic gene expression.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of blood flow restriction (BFR) on muscle oxygenation during low-intensity resistance exercise as well as postexercise expression of molecules related to physiological angiogenesis.


METHODS
Using a randomized cross-over design, six apparently healthy young adults (22 ± 1 yr) performed 120 unilateral knee extensions at 40% of 1 repetition maximum with and without BFR (CNTRL). Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure oxygenation of the vastus lateralis during exercise. Serum and muscle expression of Post-Resistance vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined preexercise, 4 h postexercise, and 24 h postexercise. Transcript (mRNA) expression of VEGF and other angiogenic genes was also determined.


RESULTS
BFR increased muscle hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations during exercise (14.4 ± 1.6 vs. 0.9 ± 1.6, P = 0.002), driven largely by an increase in deoxygenated Hb (11.0 ± 2.5 vs. 0.5 ± 1.1, P = 0.030). BFR also increased (P < 0.05) transcript expression of VEGF, VEGF-R2, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and neuronal NOS. The most dramatic change in response to BFR was an increase in VEGF mRNA at 4 h postexercise (4.1 ± 0.6 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2-fold change, P = 0.028). Compared with control, transcript expression of endothelial NOS, serum VEGF, or muscle protein expression of VEGF was not altered in response to BFR (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Acute BFR increases postexercise expression of mRNA related to skeletal muscle angiogenesis, plausibly in response to changes in muscle Hb concentrations.
Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32607, USA.
Kelly A
KA
Larkin
R Gavin
RG
Macneil
Marvin
M
Dirain
Bhanupresad
B
Sandesara
Todd M
TM
Manini
Thomas W
TW
Buford
D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000098:blood supply*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D055070:Resistance Training; D055815:Young Adult
D012333:RNA, Messenger