Circulating progenitor cells during exercise, muscle electro-stimulation and intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in patients with traumatic brain injury: A pilot study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Corral, Luisa^{a; b; *} | Conde, Laura^a | Guillamó, Elisabet^b | Blasi, Juan^b | Juncadella, Montserrat^a | Javierre, Casimiro^b | Viscor, Ginés^b | Ventura, Josep L.^a

Affiliations: [a] Intensive Care Unit and Neuropsychology Department, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain | [b] Department of Physiological Sciences II, Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics and Physiology and Immunology of University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Luisa Corral, Intensive Care Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, Professor in the Department of Physiological Sciences II, University of Barcelona, Feixa Llarga s/n, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat 08907, Barcelona, Spain. Tel.: +34 932607511/+34 934024517; Fax: +34 932607963; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Background:Circulating progenitor cells (CPC) treatments may have great potential for the recovery of neurons and brain function. Objective:To increase and maintain CPC with a program of exercise, muscle electro-stimulation (ME) and/or intermittent-hypobaric-hypoxia (IHH), and also to study the possible improvement in physical or psychological functioning of participants with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Methods:Twenty-one participants. Four groups: exercise and ME group (EEG), cycling group (CyG), IHH and ME group (HEG) and control group (CG). Psychological and physical stress tests were carried out. CPC were measured in blood several times during the protocol. Results:Psychological tests did not change. In the physical stress tests the VO2 uptake increased in the EEG and the CyG, and the maximal tolerated workload increased in the HEG. CPC levels increased in the last three weeks in EEG, but not in CyG, CG and HEG. Conclusions:CPC levels increased in the last three weeks of the EEG program, but not in the other groups and we did not detect performed psychological test changes in any group. The detected aerobic capacity or workload improvement must be beneficial for the patients who have suffered TBI, but exercise type and the mechanisms involved are not clear.

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, circulating progenitor cells, exercise, physiology

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-141172

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 763-769, 2014