Investigating how exercise affects blood flow and pain in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Nrf2 and the exaggerated Exercise Pressor Reflex in Peripheral Arterial Disease

NIH-funded research University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-10999419

This study is looking at how a strong exercise response affects blood flow and pain in people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which causes leg pain when you move, and aims to find ways to help improve blood flow and reduce that pain during exercise.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Omaha, United States)
Project IDNIH-10999419 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the exaggerated exercise pressor reflex (EPR) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which causes severe leg pain during physical activity. By studying a rat model of PAD, researchers aim to explore how this reflex affects blood flow and pain levels during exercise. The study will measure heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle blood flow in both PAD and control animals to identify the relationship between EPR, muscle ischemia, and pain. The ultimate goal is to determine if targeting the EPR can improve blood flow and reduce pain in patients with PAD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease who experience intermittent claudication during physical activity.

Not a fit: Patients without peripheral arterial disease or those who do not experience exercise-induced leg pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate exercise-induced pain and improve quality of life for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding neural reflexes related to exercise can lead to significant advancements in treating conditions like PAD, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Omaha, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Animal Disease Models
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.