Evaluation of functional capacity and muscle metabolism in individuals with peripheral arterial disease with and without diabetes

Benefits of Cilostazol's Effect on Vascular and Neuropathic Complications Caused by Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health concern with a rising incidence, particularly in aging populations and those with a genetic predisposition. Over time, DM contributes to various complications, including nephropathy, retinopathy, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and neuropathy. Among these, diabetic neuropathy and PAD stand out due to their high prevalence and significant impact on patients' quality of life. Diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy, the most common form of diabetic neuropathy, is driven by neuroinflammation stemming from prolonged hyperglycemia. Simultaneously, hyperglycemia significantly increases the risk of PAD, a condition further exacerbated by factors like smoking, age, and sedentary lifestyles. PAD frequently manifests as claudication, a debilitating symptom marked by pain and cramping during physical activity, which limits mobility and worsens patients' outcomes. Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor, has proven effective in managing intermittent claudication in PAD by improving walking distances and enhancing blood flow. Recent studies have also explored its potential benefits for diabetic neuropathy. Cilostazol's mechanisms include vasodilation, platelet inhibition, and increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, which may contribute to improved neurological outcomes. However, variability in the clinical evidence due to inconsistent treatment protocols highlights the need for further investigation. This review explores cilostazol's mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications for managing neuropathy and PAD in diabetic patients, aiming to provide insights into its potential as a dual-purpose pharmacological agent in this high-risk population.

Short-duration aerobic high-intensity intervals versus moderate exercise training intensity in patients with peripheral artery disease: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (the Angiof-HIIT Study)

INTRODUCTION

Supervised exercise training is among the first-line therapies for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Current recommendations for exercise include guidance focusing on claudication pain, programme and session duration, and frequency. However, no guidance is offered regarding exercise training intensity. This study aims to compare the effects of 12-week-long supervised walking exercise training (high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs moderate-intensity exercise (MOD)) in patients with chronic symptomatic PAD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This study is a monocentric, interventional, non-blinded randomised controlled trial. 60 patients (30 in each group) will be randomly allocated (by using the random permuted blocks) to 12 weeks (three times a week) of HIIT or MOD. For HIIT, exercise sessions will consist of alternating brief high-intensity (≥85% of the peak heart rate (HRpeak)) periods (≤60 s) of work with periods of passive rest. Patients will be asked to complete 1 and then 2 sets of 5-7 (progressing to 10-15×60 s) walking intervals. For the MOD group, exercise training sessions will consist of an alternation of periods of work performed at moderate intensity (≤76% HRpeak) and periods of passive rest. Interventions will be matched by training load. The primary outcome will be the maximal walking distance. Secondary outcomes will include functional performance, functional capacity, heath-related quality of life, self-perceived walking abilities, physical activity and haemodynamic parameters.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Angiof-HIIT Study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Canton de Vaud (study number: 2022-01752). Written consent is mandatory prior to enrolment and randomisation. The results will be disseminated via national and international scientific meetings, scientific peer-reviewed journals and social media.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05612945.

Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent MR Imaging of Lower Extremities in Peripheral Artery Disease and Its Correlation With Walking Performance

BACKGROUND

A noninvasive and reliable approach to quantitatively measure muscle perfusion of lower extremity is needed to aid the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PURPOSE

To verify the reproductivity of using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) imaging to evaluate perfusion in lower extremities, and explore its correlation with walking performance in patients with PAD.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective observational study.

SUBJECTS

Seventeen patients with lower extremity PAD (mean age: 67 ± 6 years, 15 males) and eight older adults (controls).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

Dynamic multi-echo gradient echo T2* weighted imaging at 3T.

ASSESSMENT

Perfusion was analyzed in regions of interest according to muscle groups. Perfusion parameters were measured, such as minimum ischemia value (MIV), time to peak (TTP), and gradient during reactive hyperemia (Grad) by two independent users. Walking performance experiments including short physical performance battery (SPPB) and 6-minute walk were tested in patients.

STATISTICAL TESTS

BOLD parameters were compared using Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Relations between parameters and walking performance were assessed by Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Good to perfect agreement was demonstrated for all perfusion parameters of interuser reproducibility, and the interscan reproducibility of MIV, TTP, and Grad was good. The TTP of the patients was longer than that of the controls (87.85 ± 38.85 s vs. 36.54 ± 7.27 s), while the Grad of patients was smaller (0.16 ± 0.12 msec/s vs. 0.24 ± 0.11 msec/s). Among PAD patients, the MIV was significantly lower in the low SPPB subgroup (score 6-8) than in the high SPPB group (score 9-12), and the TTP was negatively correlated with 6-minute walk distance (ρ = -0.549).

DATA CONCLUSION

BOLD imaging method had overall good reproducibility for the perfusion assessment of calf muscles. The perfusion parameters were different between PAD patients and controls, and were correlated with lower extremity function.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.