Exercise and platelet intracellular free calcium concentration

Abstract

1. A positive correlation between blood pressure and platelet intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) has been reported. We examined the effect of acute changes in blood pressure associated with exercise on platelet [Ca2+]i. 2. Twenty-one subjects had blood pressure and heart rate readings taken after 60 min rest, and subjects were then exercised on a bicycle ergometer at 120 W for 30 min. Blood pressure and heart rate readings were repeated immediately after exercise, 30 min after exercise, and then after a further hour. Blood samples were taken after each set of blood pressure and heart rate readings for catecholamine, lactate and platelet [Ca2+]i estimations. 3. There were significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma lactate and catecholamine levels during the course of the study. There were no significant changes in platelet [Ca2+]i. 4. These results suggest that the acute blood pressure changes related to exercise are not associated with a change in platelet [Ca2+]i.