All participants received a physical examination from a study physician including a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and a treadmill exercise stress test. Height was determined using a stadiometer, weight was recorded on a digital scale accurate to 0.5 g (KERN & SOHN GmbH, Balingen, Germany), and body fat was measured using three-site skinfold measurements [30] (link). Exclusion criteria included hypertension during screening and a resting ECG depicting the presence or history of CVD.
A Bruce protocol treadmill test was used to determine aerobic capacity (VO2max) with open-circuit spirometry (TrueOne 2400; Parvo Medics, Sandy, UT, USA) measuring respiratory rate and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Test results were interpreted by a board-certified cardiologist.
After meeting all inclusion criteria, a venous blood sample was obtained from each participant for estimating baseline platelet closure time. The sample was stored for future assay for detecting levels of endotoxin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and TNF-α. Epinephrine-induced platelet aggregability (platelet closure time) was determined in whole-blood samples using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100, Siemens, Malvern, PA, USA). A timeline of study visits is presented inTable 1 .
A Bruce protocol treadmill test was used to determine aerobic capacity (VO2max) with open-circuit spirometry (TrueOne 2400; Parvo Medics, Sandy, UT, USA) measuring respiratory rate and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Test results were interpreted by a board-certified cardiologist.
After meeting all inclusion criteria, a venous blood sample was obtained from each participant for estimating baseline platelet closure time. The sample was stored for future assay for detecting levels of endotoxin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and TNF-α. Epinephrine-induced platelet aggregability (platelet closure time) was determined in whole-blood samples using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100, Siemens, Malvern, PA, USA). A timeline of study visits is presented in