Objective: Angiogenesis is regulated by a wide range of soluble mediators that are released locally or by distant organs that affect local angiogenesis through variations in systemic levels. Serum levels of angioregulatory mediators are important for muscle angiogenesis in response to physical activity; in addition, angioregulation is involved in disease development, and determination of systemic levels may therefore be useful in future clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether physical activity alters systemic levels of angioregulatory mediators in healthy individuals.
Material and methods: The effects of physical activity on serum levels of pro- (angiogenin, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), leptin) and antiangiogenic (endostatin) mediators were investigated. The levels were determined immediately before and after activity for healthy young athletes (all males, age 18 years) and elderly individuals (9 M, 11 F, age 68-88 years).
Results: Elderly individuals showed higher pre-activity levels than the athletes for all mediators. The young athletes showed increased angiogenin and endostatin levels and decreased bFGF levels after 45 min of intensive physical activity, whereas leptin levels were not altered. Elderly individuals showed a similar decrease in bFGF levels after a 3-h mountain walk, but angiogenin, endostatin and leptin levels were not altered.
Conclusions: Serum levels of angioregulatory mediators depend on age, and standardization of physical activity prior to sampling will probably be necessary when evaluating the possible clinical use of these parameters.