title: Beta-blockers, exercise, and the immune system in men with coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise training on the immune system in coronary artery disease patients treated with beta-blockers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients (46.1 +/- 2 yr) treated with atenolol, a beta-blocker agent, for 3 months before exercising were divided randomly into two groups: 15 underwent an aerobic exercise training program for 12 wk at 65-70% of their work capacity, whereas the other 10 patients served as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After training, levels of CD4 and CD8 cells were significantly (P < 0.05) higher and concomitantly the CD4/CD8 ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the exercising group compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest that coronary artery disease patients exercising aerobically at 65-70% of their work capacity gain a statistically significant higher lymphocyte T cell function as compared with their untrained counterparts.
authors.affiliation: The Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Division, The Zinman College of Physical Education, Wingate Institute, Netanya 42902, Israel. sagiv@wincol.macam98.ac.il
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sagiv
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ben-Sira
authors.forename: Ehud
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goldhammer
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001262:Atenolol