Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (5): 1184-1195.doi: 10.12307/2026.020

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Acute effects of blood flow restriction in low-intensity resistance training on endothelial function-related inflammatory factors

Tao Yunfei1, Peng Li1, 2   

  1. 1School of Physical Education, 2Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Motor Function Monitoring, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
  • Received:2024-10-28 Accepted:2025-01-17 Online:2026-02-18 Published:2025-06-25
  • Contact: Peng Li, PhD, Professor, School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness Evaluation and Motor Function Monitoring, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
  • About author:Tao Yunfei, Master candidate, School of Physical Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Social Science General Foundation, No. 21BTY092 (to PL); Southwest University Graduate Student Research and Innovation Program, No. SWUS23036 (to TYF) 

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long-term blood flow restriction combined with low-intensity resistance training has been shown to effectively treat obesity by alleviating chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. However, the immediate effects of a single session on serum concentrations of vascular endothelial function and inflammatory biomarkers remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the short-term effects and recovery capacity of blood flow restriction during low-intensity resistance training on serum biomarkers of vascular endothelial function and inflammation in obese male college students.
METHODS: Twenty obese male college students (body mass index > 30 kg/m2, body fat percentage > 25%) were randomly assigned to a control group (0% arterial occlusion pressure) or a blood flow restriction group (80% arterial occlusion pressure). Both groups performed a single session of low-intensity resistance training at an intensity corresponding to a perceived exertion of 11-13 on the Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale. The training was repeated three times, with each session lasting 30 minutes, totaling 1.5 hours. Serum biomarkers were measured before exercise, immediately post-exercise, 1 hour post-exercise, and 24 hours post-exercise. The assessed biomarkers included vascular endothelial function markers, inflammatory markers, and insulin function indicators.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Vascular endothelial function: Acute exercise increased vascular endothelial growth factor A concentrations in both groups. The blood flow restriction group significantly elevated serum platelet-derived growth factor and nitric oxide levels (P < 0.05), while the control group showed a significant increase in nitric oxide synthase levels (P < 0.05). Angiotensin II concentrations decreased immediately after acute exercise in both groups but remained significantly higher than baseline in the blood flow restriction group after 24 hours of recovery, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). (2) Regarding inflammatory markers, the blood flow restriction group induced higher levels of hypoxia and significantly upregulated tumor necrosis factor-α and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α concentrations (P < 0.05). Adiponectin and leptin levels upregulated in both groups, with a more pronounced rise in adiponectin level in the blood flow restriction group than the control group (P < 0.05). Interleukin-6 concentrations decreased in both groups, with a greater reduction in the blood flow restriction group. (3) For insulin function, the blood flow restriction and control groups showed immediate increases and decreases in insulin levels after exercise, respectively, but these returned to below and above baseline levels after 24 hours of recovery. Both groups reduced insulin resistance index in adipose tissue, with a more significant improvement in the blood flow restriction group (P < 0.05). To conclude, compared with low-intensity resistance training, short-term blood flow restriction induces more favorable changes in inflammatory and vascular endothelial biomarkers, improving inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with longer-lasting effects. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings over long-term interventions.

Key words: obesity, blood flow restriction, resistance training, vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory factor

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