Study limitations
CAD, T2D
INFLAMMATION, CAD
Our study design and findings are novel as little information is available in the literature regarding the concentrations of these cytokines in the circulation of patients with CAD following a HIIT or MICT exercise intervention. There are several limitations that warrant mention. First, there is the potential confounding effect of medication between the groups. Indeed, one participant in the MICT non‐T2D group was taking an oral hypo‐glycemic agent at baseline and follow‐up. In healthy individuals, oral hypo‐glycemic agent such as Metformin may influence concentrations of circulating cytokines in a highly variable manner (Ustinova et al.,  Finally, we used plasma as the medium to quantify the cytokines; this component of blood samples prevents the determination of which tissue(s) act(s) as the source of decreased inflammation. Further research into the cytokines measured in this study in response to the two training modalities are warranted to identify their origin (e.g., skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, splanchnic bed, and immune cells) to more thoroughly understand the molecular mechanisms mediating the beneficial metabolic effects of exercise in patients with CAD with or without concurrent T2D.