Exercise-induced Erythropoiesis: the Mechanistic of Angiotensin II

The well-established angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan will be used in the present study to selectively block AT1 receptors. Valsartan is a generic medication widely used in hypertensive patients since 1996 as well as safely applied in physiological studies comprising healthy individuals.1-3 A minimal valsartan dose of 80 mg known to acutely reduce circulating EPO levels in healthy individuals will be provided 4 hours before starting Study 1 to optimize AT1 blockade according to valsartan's half-life.1-3 The same dose of valsartan (80 mg) will be provided 4 hours before each ET session in Study 2. The participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to valsartan or placebo. Valsartan and placebo tablets will be indistinguishable in taste, smell, appearance and dosage. The protocol will be developed in a double-blind manner in that both participants and investigators will be blinded toward the intervention condition.

The participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to valsartan or placebo. Valsartan and placebo tablets will be indistinguishable in taste and smell. The protocol will be developed in a double-blind manner in that both participants and investigators will be blinded toward the intervention condition.