ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of bicycle ergometer training and prostaglandin E<sub>1</sub> (PGE<sub>1</sub>) for patients with intermittent claudication. Subjects were divided into four groups : the medication group (M), the PGE<sub>1</sub> group (P), the exercise group (E) and the PGE<sub>1</sub> and exercise group (PE). The P group was injected with 10<i>μ</i>g of PGE<sub>1</sub>, the E group performed bicycle ergometer exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and the PE group was injected with PGE<sub>1</sub> and performed exercises. The maximal walking distance (MWD) was evaluated by a treadmill test. Muscle oxygenation level was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy and recovery half time (T<sub>1/2</sub>) was calculated. MWD was significantly improved for P (142%), E (216%) and PE (240%) groups. T<sub>1/2</sub> was significantly improved in the E and PE groups. This study indicates that improvement of MWD was a result of development of muscle perfusion in lower limbs and PGE<sub>1</sub> injection may support exercise therapy.