Circulating angiogenic cell response to sprint interval and continuous exercise.

Although commonly understood as immune cells, certain T lymphocyte and monocyte subsets have angiogenic potential, contributing to blood vessel growth and repair. These cells are highly exercise responsive and may contribute to the cardiovascular benefits seen with exercise.Purpose: To compare the effects of a single bout of continuous (CONTEX) and sprint interval exercise (SPRINT) on circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) in healthy recreationally active adults.Methods: Twelve participants (aged 29 ±2y, BMI 25.5±0.9 kg.m-28 2, ̇O2peak 44.3±1.8 ml.kg-1.min-1; mean±SEM) participated in the study. Participants completed a 45 min bout of CONTEX at 70% peak oxygen uptake and 6x20 sec sprints on a 30 cycle ergometer, in a counterbalanced design. Blood was sampled pre-, post-, 2h and 24h post-31 exercise for quantification of CAC subsets by whole blood flow cytometric analysis. Angiogenic T lymphocytes (TANG) and angiogenic Tie2-expressing monocytes (TEM) were 33 identified by the expression of CD31 and Tie2 respectively.Results: Circulating (cells.μL-1) 34 CD3+CD31+TANG increased immediately post-exercise in both trials (