Effect of 8-week resistance training on HIF-1α gene expression and Endothelial Progenitor Cells recall of blood after one session of resistance activity in elderly men

Abstract Background and Objectives Dysfunction of endothelial cells is associated with the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Adult endothelial progenitor cells are derived from hematopoietic stem cells capable of forming new blood vessels through a process of angiogenesis. This study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on HIF-1α gene expression and recall of Endothelial Progenitor Cells following an exercise session in the elderly.   Materials and Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 24 elderly men were selected from among 100 elderly people and were randomly divided into two control and training groups. Blood samples were taken once before and after the protocol of one session of resistance training and once more before and after 8 weeks of resistance exercise. The flowcytometric and the RT-PCR methods were used for the enumaration and gene expression levels, respectively. The analysis of variance with repeated measurements of design was used.   Results The values ​​of HIF-1α expression in the training group were significant at the initial post-test (p = 0.048), secondary pre-test (p = 0.038) and post-test (p = 0.034). Also, the number of VEGFR2+ in the training group in the pre-test (p = 0.024) and secondary post-test (p = 0.002) and CD34+ in the pre-test (p = 0.019) and secondary post-test (p = 0.006) showed an increase.   Conclusions  Eight weeks of resistance training in the elderly can increase both the call of EPCs and expression of HIF-1α gene in the blood tissue leading to repair and maintenance of the layer of Endothelial cells and angiogenesis.