Long-term Exercise and Atherogenic Activity of Blood Mononuclear Cells in Persons at Risk of Developing Ischemic Heart Disease

52 enrolled, 43 completed (25 women [mean age 49.7 years], 18 men [mean age 48.1 years]) at risk of developing ischemic heart disease (risk ratio for myocardial infarction >=1.7 based on serum complement and/or C-reactive protein levels, and normal exercise treadmill test results).

6-month individualized, supervised exercise program (mean 2.5 hours per week).

Baseline (before-after trial design, no separate control group).

Changes in spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin-induced production of atherogenic cytokines (interleukin 1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma) and atheroprotective cytokines (interleukin 4, interleukin 10, transforming growth factor beta 1) by blood mononuclear cells; lymphocyte phenotypes and mitogenic responses; and serum C-reactive protein levels at 6 months.surrogate