Research Article: Effects of Exercise and Ischemia on Mobilization and Functional Activation of Blood-Derived Progenitor Cells in Patients With Ischemic Syndromes

Abstract

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Background— Exercise training (ET) has been shown to improve regional perfusion in ischemic syndromes. This might be partially related to a regeneration of diseased endothelium by circulating progenitor cells (CPCs) or CPC-derived vasculogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether ischemic stimuli during ET are required to promote CPC mobilization in patients with cardiovascular diseases.