Beta-blockers, exercise, and the immune system in men with coronary artery disease.

Abstract

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. 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. 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. 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.