Alterations of plasma nitric oxide, vascular endothelial growth factor, and soluble form of its receptor (sFlt-1) after resistance exercise: An experimental study

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to investigate the alterations of some plasma angiogenic factors after resistance exercise in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male rats were divided into two groups: Sedentary and trained (n = 10 each). The animals in the trained group undertook one training session per day, 3 days/week. After 4 weeks; plasma nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and soluble form of VEGF receptor-1 (sFlt-1) concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Plasma NO concentration was not different between groups (P > 0.05). Plasma VEGF concentration was also not different between sedentary and trained groups (142.73 ± 3.74 and 144.5 ± 5.1 pg/mL, respectively; P > 0.05). Resistance training did not significantly change plasma sFlt-1 concentration (P > 0.05). VEGF/sFlt-1 ratio did not alter after exercise. CONCLUSION: Resistance training does not alter plasma angiogenic factors (NO, VEGF, and sFlt-1), at least in normal rats. More studies are needed to show the effect of resistance training on angiogenesis process.