ABSTRACT
            Background and objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study examined the effects of cardiac rehabilitation exercise on lipid profile and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) gene in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.
           Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, after screening, patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=12) and a control group (n=12). After the surgery and discharge from hospital, the experimental group performed rehabilitation exercise for two months, while the control group did not perform any exercise after discharge from the hospital and the initial phase of rehabilitation. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after the last training session to evaluate biochemical variables and PPAR-α gene expression of lymphocytes. PPAR-α expression level was assessed by qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was done in the SPSS software (version 20) using repeated measures.
            Results: In the follow-up after the two-month cardiac rehabilitation exercise, the PPAR-α gene was significantly overexpressed and plasma HDL levels increased significantly in the training group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Although the concentrations of LDL and triglycerides decreased in the experimental group, this reduction was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
            Conclusion: The results indicate that the protocols carried out in the study could be utilized for improving HDL levels and cardiovascular function in CABG patients.
            keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Gene Expression, PPAR-α.

ABSTRACT
           Background and objectives:  Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) is a conserved a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase essential for cellular metabolism and defence against oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to compare effects of 8 weeks of aerobic and combined training on serum level of SIRT1 and PGC1-α in coronary artery bypass graft patients.
           Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 45 non-active men (mean age 47.4 ± 3.3 years) who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic training, combined resistance and aerobic training and control. Trainings were performed at 80% of maximum heart rate, three sessions a week for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before the first exercise session and 48 hours after the last training session. T-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for assessment of within-group and between-group differences, respectively. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
           Results: The 8-week aerobic and combined training increased serum levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α compared with the control group, and significantly decreased the weight of subjects (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in serum levels of SIRT1 and PGC-1α between the two training groups (P≥0.05).
           Conclusion: Both combined and aerobic training significantly improve the SIRT1 and PGC-1α levels in coronary artery bypass graft patients.
           KEYWORDS: Combined training, Aerobic training, PGC-1α, SIRT1, CABG patient.

ABSTRACT
           Background and objectives: The present study was designed to determine the effect of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on follistatin to myostatin ratio, body composition and anaerobic power of trained volleyball players.
           Methods: Eighteen trained volleyball players were randomly assigned into two study groups: resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFRT; n=9) and resistance training without blood flow restriction (WBFRT; n=9). The subjects performed trainings three sessions a week, for eight weeks. In each session, barbell squat, leg extension, leg curl and dumbbell lunges were performed in three sets of 15 repetitions, with rest intervals of 30 seconds. Serum follistatin and myostatin concentrations, body composition and anaerobic power were assessed before and after the study. Data were analyzed using the paired sample t-test, Wilcoxon test, independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. All statistical analyses were done in SPSS (version 22), and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
           Results: Follistatin levels increased significantly (P=0.001), while myostatin levels decreased significantly in both groups (P=0.001). Follistatin to myostatin ratio increased significantly in both groups (P=0.001). Although body fat percentage decreased in both groups, it did not differ significantly between the two groups (P=0.28). Moreover, anaerobic power increased significantly in both groups (P=0.001), but this increase was more profound in the BFRT group (P=0.001).
           Conclusion: Based on our findings, blood flow restriction can be applied as remarkable approach to boost body adaptation responses to resistance training.
           KEYWORDS: Resistance training, Myostatin, Follistatin, Blood flow restriction.

ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation improves functional capacity of post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate effects of eight weeks of cardiac rehabilitation on serum levels of sirutin1 (SIRT1) and functional capacity of post-CABG patients.
             Methods: Forty-five non-active men (mean age: 47.4 ± 3.3 years, duration of disease: 150 ± 69.12 months) were randomly divided into three equal groups: aerobic exercise, combined (resistance and aerobic) exercise and control. The subjects performed trainings at 60-75% of maximum heart rate, three sessions a week for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before the first exercise session and 48 hours after the last exercise session. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
             Results: Aerobic and combined exercise increased serum SIRT1 levels and functional capacity. There was no significant decrease in body mass index (P=0.06). The SIRT1 level did not differ significantly between the two exercise groups after the intervention (P=0.91). There were significant difference between the study groups in terms of the travelled distance (P<0.034).
             Conclusion: Both combined and aerobic exercise can increase serum levels of SIRT1, reduce body mass index and improve functional capacity in CABG patients.
             Keywords: Resistance training, exercise, SIRT1.

ABSTRACT
              Background and Objectives: Coronary heart disease has a direct correlation with plasma levels of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and an inverse relationship with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level. This study aimed at comparing effect of eight weeks of aerobic training with and without green coffee supplementation on serum ApoB level and atherogenic indices of overweight men.
              Methods: Thirty overweight men were randomly divided into two groups: training + green coffee supplementation (T+G; n=15) and training + placebo (T+P; n=15). Participants in both groups performed aerobic training, three sessions per week for eight weeks. Initial exercise intensity was set at 50% of maximum heart rate but gradually increased to 75% of maximum heart rate in the last two weeks. In a single-blind design, the subjects in the T+G group received a 400 mg capsule of green coffee bean extract one hour before each exercise session. The T+P group received placebo at the same time. Paired sample t-test and independent t-test were used to compare intra-group and inter-group variations, respectively. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 22) at significance level of 0.05.
              Results: ApoB, LDL/HDL and total cholesterol/HDL decreased significantly in both groups. However, the changes were more notable in the T+G group compared to the T+P group.
              Conclusion: The eight-week training program along with green coffee supplementation has positive effects on serum ApoB and atherogenic indices of overweight, inactive men. Therefore, it can be suggested as a non-pharmacological method of preventing cardiovascular disease.
              Keywords: Aerobic exercise, green coffee, Overweight, Apolipoprotein b.

Background and objectives: Chemokines are a group of proteins involved in both innate and adaptive immunity with a significant role on homeostasis and immune system development. The present study aimed to evaluate effects of eight weeks of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation exercise after coronary artery bypass surgery on expression of chemokines CCL2 and CCL5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of middle-aged men.
Methods: The study was performed on 45 middle-aged men that had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups of control (n=15), aerobic exercise (n=15) and combined aerobic-resistance exercise (n=15). The trainings were performed three times a week for eight weeks at 60-75% of target heart rate. Fasting blood samples were collected 24 hours before the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session. Lymphocytes were separated by centrifugation. Change in gene expression was investigated by real time-PCR. Data were analyzed in SPSS (version 16) using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test.
Results: The eight week exercise training significantly decreased expression of CCL2 compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Rehabilitation exercise can be an effective way to prevent, control or reduce atherosclerosis by lowering expression of CCL2 and CCL5.