EFFECTS OF BICYCLE ERGOMETER EXERCISE AND PGE1 INJECTION FOR PATIENTS WITH INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of bicycle ergometer training and prostaglandin El (PGE(1)) for patients with intermittent claudication. Subjects were divided into four groups : the medication group (M), the PGE1 group (P), the exercise group (E) and the PGE1 and exercise group (PE). The P group was injected with 10 mu g of PGE(1), the E group performed bicycle ergometer exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and the PE group was injected with PGE(1) and performed exercises. The maximal walking distance (MWD) was evaluated by a treadmill test. Muscle oxygenation level was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy and recovery half time (T-1/2) was calculated. MWD was significantly improved for P (142%), E (216%) and PE (240%) groups. T1/2 was significantly improved in the E and PE groups. This study indicates that improvement of MWD was a result of development of muscle perfusion in lower limbs and PGE(1) injection may support exercise therapy.