Abstract
In the present study we assessed the effect of physical training on
Laser Doppler skin flux (LDF) and nitric oxide (NO) release, before and after
3 min of brachial artery occlusion. To this end we performed laser
Doppler measurements and the venous plasma assay of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) on 10
sedentary healthy subjects and 10 endurance athletes. The sedentary control
subjects had lower basal and post reperfusion levels of NOx as compared to
athletes (mean ± SE: 27.8 ± 3.5 vs.
33.2 ± 3.4, 48.6 ± 7.9 vs.
60.1 ± 10.1 μmol/L; p < 0.05).
LDF at baseline was not significantly different in the two groups
(157.5 ± 7.9 and 176.64 ± 26.7 PU for
sedentary subjects and athletes, respectively) while post ischemic LDF was
significantly lower in nonathletic subjects than in athletes
(209.9 ± 13 and 343.8 ± 21.3 PU,
p < 0.001). In both groups the hyperaemic stimulus
significantly increased LDF and NOx levels (p < 0.01 and
p < 0.05, respectively). The flow reserve, estimated as
peak/basal LDF, was significantly lower in control subjects than in athletes
(1.34 ± 0.2 and 2.32 ± 0.9,
respectively, p < 0.01). In athletes, as
opposed to sedentary subjects, a direct correlation was found between
plasma NOx concentration and LDF both in basal conditions
(r = 0.92; p < 0.001), and during
hyperaemia (r = 0.84; p < 0.01). In
conclusion, compared to sedentary subjects, athletes had an enhanced nitric
oxide release. Hyperaemia increased LDF and nitric oxide levels both in
sedentary subjects and in athletes.
Key words
Exercise - nitric oxide - endothelial function
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Dr. C. Vassalle PhD
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica-Area di ricerca CNR
Via Moruzzi 1 · 56100 Pisa · Italy ·
Phone: +39 (050) 3152199
Fax: +39 (050) 3152166
Email: cristina.vassalle@ifc.cnr.it