Anti-inflammatory effects of enhanced external counterpulsation in subjects with abnormal glucose tolerance.

Elevated markers of systemic inflammation are associated with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) has been shown to decrease circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory markers in coronary artery disease patients. Here we provide novel evidence that EECP intervention also has a beneficial effect on circulating markers of systemic inflammation coincident with improvements in glycemic control in subjects with abnormal glucose tolerance.