Single bout hiking improves endothelial function, arterial stiffness and endothelial progenitor cells in young healthy volunteers

초록

Background and Aims: A disrupted balance between endothelial injury and repair induces endothelial dysfunction and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) augment vascular repair. So, exercise improves endothelial function through increased numbers of circulation EPC. We investigated even single bout hiking can improve endothelial function, arterial stiffness and EPC or not. So, we measured the number of circulating EPC, and tested vascular health by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), Augmentation Index (AIx) before and after hiking in young healthy volunteers. Methods: 24 young healthy volunteers were enrolled. They hiked the Seorak mountain (1708m height, 16km long, 11 hours 20 minutes distance by walk) together once this summer. We tested FMD, baPWV, AIx and measured EPCs (CD34/KDR, CD34/CD117, CD34/CD133) at baselines and immediate after hiking. FMD is a marker of endothelial function, AIx and baPWV can show arterial stiffness. We checked exercise intensity by Polar monitoring. All volunteers completed hiking within 13 hours. Results: 16 volunteers were male (67%) and mean age was 27.3(±5.7). mean BMI(body mass index) was 21.4(±3.4) and they did not have medical history including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. After moderate degree hiking, FMD and AIx improved significantly compared with baseline. (P=0.001, 0.003, respectively) (figure). Absolute numbers of all EPCs improved significantly after hiking. (all EPCs, P<0.001). There is no significant difference of blood pressure and baPWV (table). Conclusions: Even single bout hiking improved vascular endothelial function and arterial stiffness and augmented the number of circulating EPCs in young healthy volunteers.