Objective: 

The key role of platelets in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis prompted considerable interest on the effect of physical exercise on platelets. The studies have shown that various intensities of acute exercise affect platelets differently. The exact mechanisms and the regulatory pathways concerned in the effect of acute exercise on platelet function are not completely understood. Shear induced nitric oxide (NO) release has been suggested a probable mechanism that involves in exercise-induced platelet responses. In the present study we aimed to examine the effect of submaximal exercise on platelet activation and the role of NO.

Methods: 

Twenty-one healthy, sedentary male volunteers performed 15 minutes of cycling exercise at a workload that increased their heart rate to 60% of maximal. Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) as a marker of platelet activation and plasma nitric oxide (NO) were evaluted by by enzyme-linked immunassay before and immediately after the exercise

Results:Platelet GPIIb/IIIa decreased after the exercise protocol (p=0.036). NO significant difference was found between plasma NO levels measured before end after the exercise.

Conclusions: 

The exercise protocol performed in the present study has inhibited the platelet activation since NO levels did not increase. We found no clear-cut relationship between platelet GPIIb/IIIa and plasma NO. Since various mediators can activate or inhibit platelets, the balance between platelet activating and inhibiting systems during exercise are needed to be examined.