Exercise Training Improves Brachial Artery Endothelial Function, but Does Not Alter Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The study aimed to systematically review the effects of exercise training (EX) on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Five electronic databases were searched: (i) patients with PAD aged ≥ 18; (ii) structured EX ≥ 2 weeks; (iii) measured brachial artery FMD; and (iv) measured blood inflammatory biomarkers. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. EX increased FMD but had no effect on C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Subgroups with moderate intensity had a greater increase in FMD than subgroups with vigorous intensity. There was no difference in effect on FMD and three inflammatory biomarkers between subgroups training for ≤ 12 weeks and > 12 weeks of EX, < 50 min and ≥ 50 min of session duration, and < 150 min and ≥ 150 min of weekly volume, respectively. These results suggest that EX-induced improvement in vascular function can be independent of the improvement of systemic inflammation.