Exercise-induced vasodilation in healthy males: A marker of reduced endothelial function

Abstract

Objectives. Reduced arterial vasodilatatory capacity is a marker of coronary heart disease. The aim was to investigate if the difference between the vasodilatory response before and after exercise, as assessed by non-invasive methodology, is related to endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers. Design. Post-ischemic hyperemia after 5 min of arterial occlusion was examined before and after a bicycle test with strain-gauge plethysmography (measuring peak reactive hyperemia in the forearm) and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT hyperemia ratio: measuring pulse waves in the index finger relative to the contra-lateral index finger) in 30 healthy males. A low PAT hyperemia ratio or a low peak reactive hyperemia reflects endothelial dysfunction. Inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers were assessed. Results. A low peak reactive hyperemia and a low PAT hyperemia ratio before the bicycle test was associated with a high percentage increase in peak reactive hyperemia after exercise (r = − 0.68, p < 0.001; r = − 0.35, p = 0.06, respectively). Asymmetric dimethylarginine and interleukin-10 were associated with the percentage increase in peak reactive hyperemia in multiple linear regression analyses (β: 165 (confidence interval [CI], 34–296), p = 0.02; β: 19 (CI, − 0.5–39), p = 0.06, respectively). Conclusions. The difference in the vasodilatory response before and after exercise, as assessed by non-invasive methodology, is related to endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy males.

Key words::

• endothelial function
• inflammatory markers
• peripheral arterial tonometry
• strain-gauge plethysmography

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.