Exercise-driven reflex and blood flow in leg disease: flow limits and reperfusion
Official title: Exercise Pressor Reflex in Peripheral Artery Disease: Roles of Flow Limitation and Reperfusion
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11378471 · Data updated 2026-11-12
In people with peripheral artery disease, we’re studying why exercise makes blood pressure rise and how to make walking easier by blocking a specific nerve-sensing channel.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $730,701 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164571-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378471 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with peripheral artery disease who experience leg pain and reduced walking tolerance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PAD or those not experiencing exercise-related symptoms may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project looks at why exercise causes abnormal blood pressure responses in PAD and whether improving blood flow during movement helps. Researchers will study both people with PAD and animal models to understand how restricted blood flow and reperfusion stress contribute to symptoms. They plan to test a drug (amiloride) that blocks a sensory ion channel to see if it reduces the reflex and improves walking endurance. The work may identify new strategies to lessen cardiovascular strain during exercise for PAD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to treatments that reduce exercise-related blood pressure spikes and improve walking capacity for people with PAD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows exaggerated exercise reflexes in PAD with potential to be modulated by ASIC blockade, indicating potential for benefit with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Jianhua — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Li, Jianhua
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Low-dose colchicine to reduce vascular risk in people with peripheral artery disease
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-
Gamified home walking program to help seniors with peripheral artery disease improve walking and quality of life
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Fatty clues in leg arteries: how fat burning in mitochondria affects PAD and muscle health
This project looks at how fat metabolism in leg muscles relates to weakness and tissue damage in people with peripheral artery disease and aims to find new ways to help them.
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Enhancing muscle energy to help leg function in PAD
A study to boost how muscle mitochondria work in people with peripheral artery disease to improve walking and leg function.
-
Low-dose colchicine for people with peripheral artery disease to reduce heart and limb risks
A large international study will test whether a low daily dose of colchicine can lower heart and limb complications for people with peripheral artery disease.
-
Low-dose colchicine for reducing vascular risk in people with PAD
A large international study will test whether a daily low dose of colchicine can lower heart and limb-related risks for people with peripheral artery disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.