Exercise Training Improves Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Coronary Artery Disease

Inclusion Criteria: * written informed consent * preserved left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%) * a physical work capacity ≥ 50 W * at least one significant coronary stenosis \> 50%, whereas either the left anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex artery (RCX) has to be free from disease or stenoses ≤ 25% for the assessment of intracoronary flow measurements Exclusion Criteria: * diseases further affecting endothelial function * untreated hypertension (systolic blood pressure \> 160 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of \> 90 mm Hg) * cigarette smoking during the previous six months * LDL-cholesterol \> 4.3 mmol/l * ventricular tachyarrhythmias * chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * severe renal or hepatic dysfunction * valvular heart disease * myocardial infarction within the previous 4 weeks