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.

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 aerobicresistance 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.