Abstract

Investigators have reported better plasma lipid profiles in physically active than in inactive groups. However, most of the previous cross-sectional studies on plasma lipid profiles in active persons have been performed in males. Secondly, metabolism of apo B subspecies has not been investigated in any subjects except patients with CHD. In this study, we examined the effect of physical exercise on metabolism of plasma apo B subspecies, plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in well trained middle to elderly aged female runners and controls. Female runners had a tendency to increased levels of total-cholesterol (T-Ch) and phospholipid (PL) and had a significantly decreased level of triglyceride (TG). In lipoprotein fractions, runners had lower levels of VLDL-Ch and VLDL-TG and higher levels of HDL2-Ch and HDL3-Ch. Apo B-48 ratio ( apo B-48/total apo B) as a marker of exogenous lipoprotein was significantly lower in runners, although apo B concentration in runners was as high as in sedentary controls. The difference in apo B-48 ratio between runners and controls increased with age. Negative correlation between apo B-48 ratio/HDL-Ch, and between apo B-48 ratio/HDL2-Ch were observed in runners, but not in controls. These data indicated that endurance-type exercise decreased exogenous lipoproteins which is most likely mediated by the increase of LPL activities. It has been suggested that chylomicron-remnants may contribute to atherosclerosis. Endurance exercise induces a favorable effect on lipoprotein metabolism. Verf.-Referat