High, but not moderate frequency and duration of exercise training induces downregulation of the expression of inflammatory and atherogenic adhesion molecules

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle changes which include daily exercise training have been shown to slow the progression of coronary artery disease. We designed a study to examine the effects of a multifactorial intervention on atherogenic adhesion molecules on the surface of monocytes in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: We randomized 39 patients with coronary artery disease to (i) an intervention program which consisted of 4 weeks of daily 6x15 min ergometer training at submaximal intensity in addition to a 1 h/week group exercise session, followed by 5 months of home-based ergometer training of 30 min/day again in addition to a 1 h/week group exercise session or (ii) conventional therapy. All patients received a statin. Monocyte-bound cellular adhesion molecules LFA-1 (CD11a), MAC-1 (CD11b), VLA-4 (CD49d) and L-selectin (CD62L) were assessed by fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis. RESULTS: After 4 weeks the multifactorial intervention led to a significant improvement of maximal work capacity, lipid profile, body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c. This was associated with a reduced expression of MAC-1 and VLA-4. After 5 months of a home-based intervention the beneficial effects of the cardiovascular risk profile were still apparent, whereas the effects on the expression of adhesion molecules were blunted. CONCLUSION: In patients treated with statins, 4 weeks of high frequency and long duration exercise training led to a diminished expression of atherogenic adhesion molecules MAC-1 und VLA-4. After 5 months of home-based exercise training of moderate frequency and duration, these effects were blunted. Our data suggest that our patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs might further benefit from the antiatherogenic effects of an even higher amount of exercise training.