Platelets activation with claudicatio intermittens: effects of physical training on at rest and after induction of ischemia.

Background: training is a documented effective treatment in patients affected from peripheral arterial disease. Platelet activation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular events. In ischemic heart disease, platelet activation is reduced by aerobic training, while strenuous exercise is associated with enhanced activation. Few data can be found for patients with peripheral arterial disease on training. We aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic training on platelet activation and oxidative stress at rest and after maximal walking exercise. Methods and Results: we enrolled 27 patients with intermittent claudication. They were submitted to a 15 days aerobic training period (cycling and treadmill exercise under maximal walking capacity). Platelet function (PAF 100 with ADP and epinephrine, P selectin) and oxidative stress (malondyaldehyde) were analyzed at rest and after maximal treadmill test, at the beginning and at the end of the period. At the end of training, absolute walking distance increased (450±180 vs 250±108 m; p<0,05), malondyaldehyde decreased (124±20 vs 147±25 ug/l; p<0,05), P-selectin decreased (0,81±0,31 vs 1,40±0,62 p