Low-Load Resistance Exercise with Blood Flow Restriction Increases Hypoxia-Induced Angiogenic Genes Expression

Author(s)

Fernandes, Rodrigo Volga ; Tricoli, Valmor ; Soares, Antonio Garcia ; Miyabara, Elen Haruka ; Aoki, Marcelo Saldanha ; Laurentino, Gilberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Human Kinetics; v. 84, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2022-11-08.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine whether low-load exercise (LL) with blood flow restriction (LL-BFR) would induce similar changes in expression of genes involved in hypoxia and angiogenesis compared to LL and high-load exercise (HL). Twenty-four males (age: 21.3 +/- 1.9 years, body height: 1.74 +/- 0.8 m, body mass: 73 +/- 1.8 kg) were allocated into three groups: low-load exercise (LL), low-load exercise with blood-flow restriction (LL-BFR), and high-load exercise (HL). For the LL-BFR group a pneumatic cuff was inflated at 80% of the arterial occlusion pressure. All participants performed bilateral knee extension exercise, twice a week, for 8 weeks. LL and LL-BFR groups performed 3-4 sets of 15 reps at 20% 1RM, whilst the HL group performed 3-4 sets of 8-10 reps at 80% 1RM with a 60-s rest interval between sets. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and beta (HIF-1 beta), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neuronal (nNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes expression were assessed before and after training. HIF-1 alpha and HIF-1 beta mRNA levels significantly increased in the LL-BFR group and exceeded those elicited by HL and LL groups (p < .0001). VEGF gene expression was increased in both LL-BFR and HL groups, however, LL-BFR elicited a greater increase than LL (p < .0001). nNOS and iNOS genes expression significantly increased in all groups with greatest increases being observed in the LL-BFR group (p < .0001). The findings suggest that LL-BFR induces greater increases in genes expression related to hypoxia and angiogenesis than traditional resistance training. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/09820-5 - Strength training with vascular occlusion: hormonal, morphological and molecular changes
• Grantee: Valmor Alberto Augusto Tricoli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants