Endurance training reduces circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine and myeloperoxidase levels in persons at risk of coronary events.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) are directly involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by modulation of oxidative stress and/or NO bioavailability. We aimed to assess whether endurance exercise which is known to be cardioprotective could beneficially affect these novel risk markers. Thirty-two subjects (31-68 yrs, 56% males) with elevated cardiovascular risk including ten patients with coronary artery disease volunteered for a supervised 12-week endurance training (196 +/- 15 min/week).

Endurance training reduces circulating inflammatory markers in persons at risk of coronary events: impact on plaque stabilization?

Inflammatory pathways are involved in destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. We assessed the hypothesis that endurance training decreases circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers in persons with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). Thirty-two subjects with CAD and/or CVRFs joined a 12-week supervised endurance training.

Endurance training increases the number of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with cardiovascular risk and coronary artery disease.

Objective: As regular physical exercise improves endothelial dysfunction and promotes cardiovascular health, we investigated the effect of training on angiogenesis by measuring the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), the level of EPC-mobilizing growth factors and tested vascular function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). In addition, degradation products of the NO pathway (NOx) were determined.

Methods And Results: Twenty patients with documented CAD and/or CVRF joined a 12-week supervised running training.