Impact of Aerobic Exercises on Coagulation Profile, Platelets and Endothelial Activation Markers among Patients with Steady State Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract Background & Objective: Globally, Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) causes multiple organ damage resulted from small blood vessels that leads to many vascular complications as acute chest syndrome, cerebral vascular accidents and avascular necrosis. Objective: As the available previous studies involving the impact of exercise training upon patients with SCA is still scarce and not clear; this study designed to measure the actual value of aerobic exercise upon some coagulation profile, platelets and endothelial activation markers among patients with steady state SCA. Material and Methods: Eighty patients with steady state condition sickle cell anemia were enrolled in two equal groups; the first group practiced aerobic exercises for three months, while the second group was considered as a control group as they received no training intervention. Results: The mean values of coagulation profiles included PT, APTT and platelet count (P=0.016, P=0.008, P=0.027 respectively), platelets activation markers included soluble CD40L and soluble P-Selectin (P=0.001, P=0.011 respectively) and endothelial activation markers included ICAM-1, VCAM-1and E-selectin (P=0.002, P=0.016, P=0.021 respectively) were reduced significantly as a result of aerobic exercise training in group (A), with no significant changes in the control group (group B). In addition, at the end of the study, the comparison between both groups revealed that significant differences (p<0.05). Conclusion: The current study provides evidence that aerobic exercise training improves prolonged coagulation indices and altered markers of platelets and endothelial activation among patients with SCA in asymptomatic steady state.