Lipid Transfer to HDL is Higher in Marathon Runners than in Sedentary Subjects, but is Acutely Inhibited During the Run

Abstract

Although exercise increases HDL-cholesterol, exercise-induced changes in HDL metabolism have been little explored. Lipid transfer to HDL is essential for HDL's role in reverse cholesterol transport. We investigated the effects of acute exhaustive exercise on lipid transfer to HDL. We compared plasma lipid, apolipoprotein and cytokine levels and in vitro transfer of four lipids from a radioactively labeled lipid donor nanoemulsion to HDL in sedentary individuals (n = 28) and in marathon runners (n = 14) at baseline, immediately after and 72 h after a marathon. While HDL-cholesterol concentrations and apo A1 levels were higher in marathon runners, LDL-cholesterol, apo B and triacylglycerol levels were similar in both groups. Transfers of non-esterified cholesterol [6.8 (5.7-7.2) vs. 5.2 (4.5-6), p = 0.001], phospholipids [21.7 (20.4-22.2) vs. 8.2 (7.7-8.9), p = 0.0001] and triacylglycerol [3.7 (3.1-4) vs. 1.3 (0.8-1.7), p = 0.0001] were higher in marathon runners, but esterified-cholesterol transfer was similar. Immediately after the marathon, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and apo A1 levels were unchanged, but apo B and triacylglycerol levels increased. Lipid transfer of non-esterified cholesterol [6.8 (5.7-7.2) vs. 5.8 (4.9-6.6), p = 0.0001], phospholipids [21.7 (20.4-22.2) vs. 19.1 (18.6-19.3), p = 0.0001], esterified-cholesterol [3.2 (2.2-3.8) vs. 2.3 (2-2.9), p = 0.02] and triacylglycerol [3.7 (3.1-4) vs. 2.6 (2.1-2.8), p = 0.0001] to HDL were all reduced immediately after the marathon but returned to baseline 72 h later. Running a marathon increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, but after 72 h these values returned to baseline. Lipid transfer, except esterified-cholesterol transfer, was higher in marathon runners than in sedentary individuals, but the marathon itself acutely inhibited lipid transfer. In light of these novel observations, further study is required to clarify how these metabolic changes can influence HDL composition and anti-atherogenic function.

Aerobic Training in Young Men Increases the Transfer of Cholesterol to High Density Lipoprotein In Vitro: Impact of High Density Lipoprotein Size

“…In this study, the effectiveness of the 18‐week aerobic training program was confirmed by the increase in the VO 2 peak and by the decrease in BMI of the participant subjects. Training increased HDL‐C but did not change LDL‐C or the triacylglycerol levels, which is in agreement with previous studies (Blazek et al, ; Vaisberg et al, ; Vinagre et al, ).…”

“…In patients with metabolic syndrome, the transfer of esterified cholesterol increased after a 3‐month moderate exercise training program (Casella‐Filho et al, ), whereas in marathon runners, the transfer of unesterified cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and phospholipids was higher compared to those of sedentary participants (Vaisberg et al, ). On the other hand, as shown in the study of da Silva et al (), resistance training did not change the transfer to HDL of any of the four lipids.…”

Athletes with higher VO2max present reduced oxLDL after a marathon race

“…In a previous report, we showed a similar result, which corroborates our new observation of HDL-C variations during a marathon 32. In agreement with other studies, we observed a reduction of the LDL-C levels, a common occurrence presenting after exhaustive exercise such as an ultramarathon or bicycle marathon 28…”

Influence to high-intensity intermittent and moderate-intensity continuous exercise on indices of cardio-inflammatory health in men

“…Classical moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) is accepted as antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory, since it increases reverse cholesterol transport toward high-density lipoprotein cholesterol particles, and promote clearance of cholesterol ester from tissues and lipoproteins (Gupta et al, 1993; Vaisberg et al, 2012). Moreover, MICE improve blood circulation in central nervous system and stimulate neurotrophin production.…”