Exercise training modulates cytokines activity in coronary heart disease patients

Physical activity may lower the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) by mitigating inflammation, which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aerobic exercise training on levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ, and C-reactive protein (CRP), in CAD patients participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Twenty-eight patients, age 64±7.1 years, participated in a 12-week aerobic exercise training program at 70–80% of individual maximal heart rate. Training resulted in a significant reduction of all pro-inflammatory cytokines, CRP from 7.5±4.2 to 3.9±3.5 mg/l, p