Statistical analysis
Individual data are described using frequency graphs and tables. Categorical data were summarized as counts and percentages. All data from participants who withdrew prematurely from the study were included in any analysis where possible. The data were transferred to a statistical package for analysis (GraphPad Prism 9.0; GraphPad Software, La Jolla, CA, USA). The Wilcoxon nonparametric paired test was used to compare inflammatory cytokine levels, lymphocyte profiles, blood chemistry, and collateral grades on conventional angiography between the baseline and 6 months after the intervention. One-way ANOVA or Friedman test was applied to compare the variables (VAS rating scores, ABI, maximal walking distance, and quality of life) between different times before and after the intervention. Differences were considered statistically significant at 