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Physical Exercise, Endothelial Function and Progenitor Endothelial Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Not Applicable
Conditions
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Interventions
Behavioral: Supervised physical exercise
Registration Number
NCT01712529
Lead Sponsor
Federal University of São Paulo
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of supervised physical exercise on endothelial function and number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as evaluate the effect of supervised physical exercise on endothelium derived growth factor (VEGF) levels, disease activity, quality of life, fatigue, perceived exertion and cardiopulmonary exercise test variables.

Detailed Description

Several studies have shown that cardiovascular morbimortality is more frequent and early in SLE patients than in the general population and cardiovascular disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Disturbances in endothelial function are implicated in its pathogenesis. Endothelial function also depends on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that enhance angiogenesis, promote vascular repair and have potential as a marker of cardiovascular disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients have endothelial dysfunction and fewer EPCs. There are studies showing improvement of endothelial function and EPCs after physical exercise program in individuals with heart failure, diabetes and coronary arterial disease, but there isn't studies evaluating endothelial function and EPCs after.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
38
Inclusion Criteria
  • female systemic lupus erythematosus patients
  • 18 to 45 years of age
  • Fulfilled at least four criteria classification for lupus (ACR criteria, 1997) - Signed the consent form approved by the ethics committee of the institution
Exclusion Criteria
  • Hemoglobin < 10 mg/dL
  • Neuropsychiatric, pulmonary, articular or vascular damage that would prevent the practice of exercise
  • Coronary disease or heart failure, functional class ≥ II
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Creatinine ≥ 1.4 mg/dL
  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Uncontrolled hypothyroidism
  • Smoking in the last 12 months
  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause
  • Use of statins in the last three months
  • Practice of physical exercise in past three months
  • Overlap with other autoimmune rheumatic diseases, except antiphospholipid syndrome.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Supervised physical exerciseSupervised physical exerciseWalking at speed of the ventilatory threshold-1 heart rate obtained from cardiopulmonary exercise test and monitored by frequency meter.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) number16 weeks

Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 16 weeks by high-resolution ultrasound of brachial artery in resting conditions, after reactive hyperaemia (flow-mediated dilation-FMD) and after oral glyceryl trinitrate to assess endothelial function; EPCs were evaluated by flow cytometry using anti-CD34 (cluster of differentiation 34) (FITC), anti-CD133 (PE) and anti-kinase domain receptor (KDR) (APC)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of life16 weeks

Short Form-36

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)16 weeks

ELISA

Disease activity16 weeks

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)

perceived exertion16 weeks

Borg scale

Fatigue16 weeks

Severity fatigue scale

Ergospirometric variables16 weeks

Cardiopulmonary exercise test

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Federal University of Sao Paulo

🇧🇷

Sao Paulo, Brazil

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