Vascular responses to acute localised and systemic exercise
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Vascular responses to acute exercise in young, healthy males
IRAS ID
245110
Contact name
Ellen A Dawson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Exercise training improves cardiovascular health, and is recommended in both the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Increased blood flow during exercise acts as a stimulus for improved health. Specifically, during exercise, the increase in blood flow activates the inner layer of blood vessels (the endothelium) to produce substances that alter vascular health. One key substance is nitric oxide (NO), which helps the artery get bigger (dilate), but also helps protect it against the development of cardiovascular diseases. Studies in animals have shown that the activity of endothelial nitric synthase (eNOS), which is responsible for NO production, increases in response to elevated blood flow. However, this has not been investigated thoroughly in humans, who may show different responses. In addition, the effect of different patterns of exercise on NO production has not been investigated. Specifically, what effect does exercise using the legs have on NO production at a site not actively involved in the exercise (the systemic effect of exercise).
The aim of the study is to examine whether localised (handgrip) and systemic (cycling) exercise can activate eNOS, and if this relates to the blood flow and health of the vessels, in health young males. Understanding this response in young, healthy individuals will allow us to determine a typical response, which in the future could be compared to different patient populations. This will have the potential to improve clinical advice and treatment in the future.
Forty-five young healthy males will be allocated into 3 groups: a) control (no exercise) b) localised exercise (handgrip), c) systemic exercise (cycling). Endothelial cells will be collected from radial artery and antecubital vein before and after the intervention and analysed for eNOS activity and other vascular markers. Blood flow and vessel function will be measured using non-invasive ultrasound before, during, and after the intervention.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0428
Date of REC Opinion
31 Aug 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion