Change of walking distance in intermittent claudication: impact on inflammation, oxidative stress and mononuclear cells: a pilot study

Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process involving the immune system and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We investigated changes of mononuclear blood cells and ROS production in relation to the walking distance of patients with intermittent claudication during home-based exercise training. Methods Forty patients with intermittent claudication were asked to perform a home-based exercise training for a mean time of 12 months. ROS formation was measured using the luminol analogue L-012. Peripheral blood leucocytes [monocytes, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and dendritic cells (DC)] were analysed by flow cytometry and analysed for the expression of major inflammatory surface molecules. Results At follow-up, patients showed an increased walking distance and reduced ROS production upon stimulation with a phorbol ester derivative (PDBu) ( p