Beta-blockers, exercise, and the immune system in men with coronary artery disease.
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.
Sagiv
Michael
M
The Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Division, The Zinman College of Physical Education, Wingate Institute, Netanya 42902, Israel. sagiv@wincol.macam98.ac.il
Ben-Sira
David
D
Goldhammer
Ehud
E
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
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001262:Atenolol