The Effect of Combined Rehabilitation Training on Plasma Levels and Ghrelin Gene Expression in PBMNC Among CABG Patients

Rehabilitation training in cardiac patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) improves several physiological capacities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of combined training on plasma levels and ghrelin gene expression in PBMNC among CABG patients. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 cardiac patients of Javad Al-Aemeh cardiac specialty hospital of Mashhad, who underwent CABG operation, were selected using convenience and purposeful sampling method and randomly divided into two equal groups (n=15): combined training and control. The combined training group performed selected aerobic and resistance training protocols for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Before and after training program, body composition assessments and blood sampling were performed to measure variables. Then, the obtained data were analyzed using independent and dependent t-tests at the significance level of 0.05. Data analysis showed that combined training significantly reduces body weight and BMI and significantly increases plasma ghrelin levels and relative expression of ghrelin gene in PBMNC (P≤0.05). Additionally, a significant difference was observed between plasma ghrelin levels and relative expression of ghrelin gene in PBMNC of training group compared to control group (P≤0.05). It seems that eight weeks of combined rehabilitation training increases plasma levels and ghrelin gene expression in PBMNC among CABG patients and can promote desirable physiological adaptations in cardiovascular health.