Time-dependent mobilization of circulating progenitor cells during strenuous exercise in healthy individuals

Abstract

Exercise stimulates the release of hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from the bone marrow. However, no data are available concerning the time frame of EPC release during strenuous exercise. The aim of the present study was to investigate the time-dependent release of progenitor cells during strenuous exercise. Eighteen healthy young men cycled for 4 h continuously at 70% of their individual anaerobic threshold. Peripheral blood was drawn at 16 predefined time points during and after finishing cycling. A significant rise in heart rate and leukocytes was obvious, whereas lactate levels and hematocrit did not change. The amount of circulating progenitor cells, EPCs, mature endothelial cells (mECs), and microparticles, quantified by flow cytometry, showed a significant time-dependent increase at 210/240 min. In addition a very early rise in VEGF and later increase in IL-6, both measured by ELISA, were evident. All observed changes were normalized 24 h after finishing the test. In conclusion, strenuous activity in healthy individuals leads to a time-dependent increase in mECs, PCs, and EPCs that may be related to VEGF and IL-6.

O grau de melhora na função das células progenitoras endoteliais derivadas da medula óssea é dependente do volume de treinamento físico aeróbio

“…Thus, Strong physical exercise, as the ones performed by marathoners, did not present any alteration in the EPC concentration 28 , while a recent study published by Goussetis et al 29 demonstrated increase of 10 times of the EPC after 246 km of foot race and that his mobilization mediated by exercise was associated with the release of VEGF in the circulation. Similarly to this study, Möbius-Winkler et al 30 showed EPC increase in the circulation of healthy individuals from the 210 min of strong exercise, indicating hence increase of these cells which depend on the time of performance of the exercise.…”

Physical exercise attenuates age‐associated reduction in endothelium‐reparative capacity of endothelial progenitor cells by increasing CXCR4/JAK‐2 signaling in healthy men

“…Physical exercise has been shown to increase the function and number of circulating EPCs in healthy individuals (Hoetzer et al, 2007;Yang et al, 2007;Mö bius-Winkler et al, 2009;Walther et al, 2009;Witkowski et al, 2010), which is paralleled with improvement of endothelial function. However, it is not clear whether exercise contributes to the promotion of endothelial repair capacity of EPCs from elderly men and if yes, whether CXCR4 ⁄ JAK-2 signaling is involved in the functional regulation of EPCs.…”

Role of endothelial progenitor cells in the beneficial effects of physical exercise on atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease

“…Is it therefore acceptable to assume that a single bout of exercise is sufficient to induce an EPC-mediated vascular protection? For this discussion it is important to realize that the amount of circulating progenitors after a single exercise bout declines immediately back to baseline values (2,55). Regular physical activity on the other hand leads to elevated circulating EPC levels over a longer time period (69).…”