The Effect of Combined Training Courses on the Expression of ABCG4 Gene and Interleukin-4 Plasma Level in Middle-Aged Men Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: Atherosclerosis (AS), as a significant cardiovascular disease, is the main factor of death in the world. There has been an association between plasma lipoproteins and AS. Reverse cholesterol transfer (RCT), in which ATP binding cassette (ABC) adenosine triphosphate transporters are major contributors, prevents AS incidence by reducing the accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of a combination training session on the gene expression of ABCG4 and plasma level of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in nucleated blood cells of middle-aged men after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The statistical population consisted of 20 middle-aged men who had previously undergone CABG. After selection, these individuals were randomly divided into two groups of n=10; control and combined exercise. At the beginning and end of training sessions, blood samples were obtained to isolate mononuclear cells and extract mRNA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for gene expression analysis, and IL-4 was determined by ELISA. SPSS software version 16 was used for data analysis. Results: The training period remarkably increased ABCG4 expression and IL-4 plasma level compared to the control group. Conclusion: Combined training, as a part of cardiac rehabilitation in those undergoing CABG may improve the RCT process by affecting the gene expression of ABCG4 and IL-4 production, which are involved in fat burning and metabolism.