TNF and heart failure: High-sensitive-reactive protein (hCRP) Bio-markers for heart failure: BNP and NT-ProBNP Cardiovascular disease-related factors: ET-1, constituents of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) including renin, angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2) Pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factorα (TNF-α) Oxidative indicators: activity for serum total SOD (T-SOD) and lipid peroxidation reflected by malondialdehyde (MDA)Measurements taken in the morning before and after the intervention