Aerobic training improves angiogenic potential independently of vascular endothelial growth factor modifications in postmenopausal women

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of walking-training on the balance between pro-and antiangiogenic signals and on the angiogenic potential in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods: Thirty-four postmenopausal women (56.18 +/- 4.24 years) participated in a 13 weeks program of walking-training. Anthropometric measures, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein, insulin, IGF-1, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), leptin, visfatin, resistin, and adiponectin were evaluated before and after training. Moreover, serum samples were tested for their ability to chemo-attract endothelial cells and to support the in vitro formation of capillary-like structures. Results: After training, the levels of IL-8, TNF-alpha, leptin, and resistin were significantly lower, levels of DHEA-S and adiponectin increased, serum angiogenic properties improved, whereas no changes in anthropometric parameters or VEGF were detected. Conclusion: Walking training reduces inflammatory status and leads to a significant improvement in serum angiogenic properties in the absence of modifications in body composition and VEGF level.