Classification(s): Cardiac Rehabilitation; Exercise Physiology; Exercise Training
Introduction: Antioxidant glutathione (GSH) has been shown to play an important role in maintenance of good health and disease prevention. Various approaches have been used to enhance GSH availability including diet, nutritional supplementation, and drug administration with minor to moderate success. Exercise training has evolved as a new approach. Animal studies have shown positive results; however, human research is limited in subjects with HF.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of Cardiac Rehabilitation in the form of combined aerobic exercise training (AT) and resistance training (RT) on general adaptations to oxidative stress in subjects with HF.
Design: A mixed model repeated measures ANOVA design was used with Bonferonni adjusted t tests for pre-planned comparisons.
Methods: A convenience sample of 42 subjects with HF (24 males and 18 females, 21 ischemic and 21 non-ischemic, LVEF 32.9 +/- 6.2%, duration of HF 37.2 +/- 6.1 month, age = 61.2 +/- 14.4 yrs, weight = 97.9 +/- 25.1 Kg, and height = 172.1 +/- 9.9 cm) were randomly assigned to two groups: control (no exercise) and AT+RT. Intervention included AT 3 times per week at 40-70% HRR (15 minute warm up, 30 minute exercise, 15 minute cool down), and RT 2 times per week (acclimation method with 8-10 exercises involving upper and lower body). Venous blood sampling was taken at rest pre and post 12 weeks of AT+RT. The GSH:GSSG-412 assay: Colorimetric Determination of Reduced and Oxidized Glutathione was used for venous assay analyses.
Results: Efficacy of the Cardiac Rehabilitation program was demonstrated by significant between group (exercise group vs control) comparisons. AT+RT showed significant pre-post-training increases in resting GSH and GSH:GSSG, and significant decreases in GSSG levels.
Conclusions: The current study represents the first longitudinal investigation involving the effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on GSH, GSSG, and GSH:GSSG ratio in subjects with HF. The significant findings of this study have positive potential clinical implications to individuals involved in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.