Cardiac Rehabilitation Increases Exercise Capacity with a Reduction of Oxidative Stress

Background and Objectives: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate various signaling pathways that underlie vascular inflammation in atherogenesis and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has a variety of multiple beneficial effects, including anti-inflam matory effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CR on ROS in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Subjects and Methods: The serum level of derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites, an index of oxidative stress, was measured in 100 patients with cardiovascular diseases before, and, subsequently, 3 and 6 months after, CR. A biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test was applied to assess the antioxidant power of the serum. Results: The resting reactive oxidative metabolite levels decreased 3-6 months after CR {pre: 351±97 Carratelli unit (CARR U), 3 months: