Understanding Exercise Discomfort in Peripheral Artery Disease
Official title: Exercise Pressor Reflex in Peripheral Artery Disease: Roles of Flow Limitation and Reperfusion
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11127625 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why exercise can be painful for people with peripheral artery disease and explores ways to make it easier.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $758,913 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164571-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127625 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with peripheral artery disease who experience leg pain during exercise, as well as healthy volunteers, may be suitable for this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose exercise limitations are not primarily due to the exaggerated exercise pressor reflex may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
People with peripheral artery disease (PAD) often experience leg pain and discomfort during exercise, which limits their ability to walk. This discomfort is linked to an exaggerated body response that increases blood pressure during physical activity. Our researchers are exploring how reduced blood flow and periods of blood flow returning to the legs contribute to this exaggerated response. We are also testing if a medication called amiloride can help reduce this response and improve walking ability. This work involves both human volunteers and animal models to understand these processes better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce exercise-related pain and improve walking ability for individuals with peripheral artery disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the exaggerated exercise pressor reflex in PAD has been observed, the specific mechanisms and the potential for amiloride to block acid-sensing ion channels in this context are being thoroughly examined in this project.
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.
-
Low-dose colchicine to reduce vascular risk in people with peripheral artery disease
This project tests whether taking a low-dose anti-inflammatory drug (colchicine) daily can lower heart and limb-related risks for adults with peripheral artery disease.
-
Gamified home walking program to help seniors with peripheral artery disease improve walking and quality of life
A program uses game elements on wearable devices to help people 65+ with peripheral artery disease walk more at home and feel better.
-
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.
-
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.