Beneficial Effects of a 4-Week Exercise Program on Plasma Concentrations of Adhesion Molecules

Plasma concentrations of adhesion molecules are elevated in patients with endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis (1), as well as in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes—even those without angiographic evidence for atherosclerosis (2). Physical activity is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and total mortality in men with type 2 diabetes (3). The beneficial effects of physical activity could be mediated by improved markers of endothelial dysfunction, including adhesion molecules. We therefore tested the hypothesis that an intensive 4-week physical training program leads to improved plasma concentrations of intracellular …