The Effects of High Intensity Exercise to Exhaustion on the Concentrations of Endostatin and VEGF in Plasma

Abstract

Endostatin and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) are important markers driving the angiogenic switch. It is clear that short periods of moderate to high intensity exercise significantly increase the concentration of endostatin and VEGF in plasma. Objective: To investigate concentration of circulatory endostatin in plasma and impact of different intensities of exercise encompassing from low to maximum on distribution of endostatin and VEGF concentrations in plasma. Methods: Eight healthy male volunteers were recruited through advertisements and personal contacts, after assessing their fitness through two pre-participation health screening questionnaires, PAR-Q and ACSM Health Fitness Facility pre-participation health screening questionnaire for performing maximal exercise to volitional exhaustion. All the volunteers attend the lab on 2 consecutive days. The blood was centrifuged at 1000 RPM for 15 minutes for endostatin and VEGF and at 3000 RPM for 15 minutes for lipid profiles and insulin. Samples were analysed for endostatin and VEGF concentrations using QuantikinR ELISA kit of the R&D systems, while Insulin was measured using ELISA kit (Mercodia, Uppsala Sweden). Results: The basal endostatin concentration remained consistent and higher intensity of exercise significantly increased the endostatin concentration for up to 2 hours. Exercise also influenced VEGF concentration transiently and only at 30 minutes’ interval increase in VEGF was statistically significant. Conclusion: It is worth noting that those participants who showed an immediate decrease in VEGF after exercise, later on exhibited a concentration higher than basal