Effects of exercise on inflammation in cardiac rehabilitation

Programs of weight loss and a healthy diet are recommended for patients with cardiovascular risk but the effectiveness of these programs in decreasing cardiovascular mortality is controversial.

To examine the acute and long-term effects of a 2-month cardiac rehabilitation program on chemokines related to inflammation in subjects with cardiovascular disease.

Prospective cohort study.

Twenty-six patients with cardiovascular disease enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program based on nutritional and exercise interventions were studied. Lifestyle and clinical, metabolic and inflammatory variables were analysed.

88.5% were men and the mean age was 54.9 ± 7.8 years. At the end of the cardiac rehabilitation program the levels of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were lower, except for high density lipoprotein cholesterol which was higher. The levels of uric acid, interleukin-6, interleukin-1Beta, adiponectin and leptin remained stable. Interleukin-6 correlated positively with levels of C-reactive protein and negatively with blood glucose. Interleukin-1Beta correlated positively with C-reactive protein levels and negatively with blood pressure figures. Significant correlations were seen between the changes in levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-1Beta and changes in metabolic equivalents, and in C-reactive protein levels before and after the cardiac rehabilitation program. No significant correlations were observed with weight, waist circumference or fat mass.

A cardiac rehabilitation program decreased anthropometric variables and blood pressure figures, and improved lipid metabolism and ergometry data. However, no changes regarding the inflammatory state were observed.