Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been suggested to have a role in atherosclerosis through its strong oxidative capacity. MPO-mediated formation of reactive oxidants is enhanced after exhaustive exercise. Low-intensity resistance exercise (LIRE) under the conditions of restricting muscle blood flow (KAATSU) has been reported to strengthen muscles, in a way similar to high-intensity resistance exercise. We investigated the effects of LIRE-KAATSU on neutrophil intracellular MPO and pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an inflammatory marker. Five control subjects and six patients with ischemic heart diseases (IHD) (pPCI 5, pCABG 1) have participated in this study. Each subject performed LIRE (20% 1RM leg extension, 4 sets, 30-15-15-15) under the conditions with or without KAATSU. Neutrophils were immunostained with a specific antibody to PTX3 and MPO and the density of these markers was measured by flow cytometry analysis (FACS). FACS and immunostaining studies showed the existence of PTX3 and MPO in neutrophils. LIRE did not particularly release PTX3 and MPO from neutrophils in healthy subjects under the conditions with or without KAATSU. The similar results were obtained in patients with IHD. These results suggest that the addition of KAATSU to LIRE did not enhance PTX3 and MPO release from neutrophils even in patients with IHD, which may be related to the safety of KAATSU, compared to high-intensity resistance exercises

View full abstract

[Objective]
Benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary and repeated contractions of synergetic muscles and commonly occurs in the eyelids, arms and legs. BFS is also associated with pain, which may interfere with everyday activities. This report describes the case of a BFS patient who performed KAATSU exercise, a type of exercises performed under the conditions of restricting muscle blood flow.
[Methods]
The patient performed KAATSU exercise of the bilateral upper and lower extremities at a frequency of twice a week for 3 months. Knee extensor strength as measured with a hand-held dynamometer (HHD), QOL scores as assessed by the SF-36v2 questionnaire form, and bilateral femoral muscle mass as measured by MRI were compared before and after exercise.
[Results]
After a 3-month KAATSU exercise program, the right and left knee extensor strength as measured with a HHD increased by about 26% from 30.9 to 38.8 kgf and by about 44% from 39.9 to 57.4 kgf, respectively, and the bilateral femoral muscle mass as measured by MRI increased by about 23% from 8,730 to 10,709 cc. Overall improvement in QOL was also observed, as assessed by the SF-36v2 questionnaire form.
[Conclusion]
For patients with neurological disorders with pain, such as the present patient, active introduction of KAATSU-based exercise is likely to result in improved health-related QOL, as well as increased muscle mass and strength.

View full abstract