Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to establish a method to examine acute ischemic pain in humans using the example of adenosine. Materials and Methods 11 patients with unilateral peripheral arterial disease (PAD) performed a treadmill exercise until intolerable exercise-induced ischemic pain. Blood gas analysis (BGA) and blood samples were taken before treadmill examination (baseline), directly after treadmill examination and after recovery. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) and systemic blood pressure was measured at the same time. The ABI was measured via conventional Doppler method. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the purine adenosine and its metabolite inosine. S100B-serum levels were detected via Elecsys® S100B Immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg Deutschland). Results Treadmill exercise lead to intolerable exercise-induced ischemic pain in the PAD affected leg. ABI decreased to pathological values. BGA and blood samples showed typical ischemic changes. A systemic increase in adenosine levels was measured, whereas no local increase in the PAD affected leg could be found. A correlation between S100B and peripheral nerve damage could not be found. Conclusion The established method is an effective model to examine acute ischemic pain in humans.