Acute Effects of Moderate Exercise on Plasma Lipoprotein Parameters

Abstract

The acute, transient effects of moderate exercise on plasma lipoprotein parameters were assessed in 12 healthy, normolipidemic male volunteers subjected to a 5.5-km run at a comfortable pace. The course was completed in 31.5 min (range 23-43 min) and elicited a significant increase in pulse rate and plasma lactate levels and a fall in diastolic blood pressure. Of the plasma lipid parameters, total phospholipid, apo B-associated phospholipid, plasma triglyceride, and free fatty acid levels increased substantially immediately after the run and, except for triglyceride, were still raised 2 h later. Lesser but also significant increases were also noted in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL₃-C, and HDL-phospholipid concentrations after the run. The increase in HDL-phospholipid persisted for 2 h but the others returned to basal levels. Apolipoprotein AI, lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and the free cholesterol:cholesterol ester ratio remained essentially unaltered by exercise. The results were compatible with an increased secretion of triglyceride and phospholipid-rich VLDL, followed by the rapid clearance of the triglyceride moiety from the plasma and some redistribution of surface components to the HDL fraction.

Key words

exercise - acute - lipoprotein - phospholipids - cholesterol - triglyceride - fatty acids