ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2013 June;172(6):495-502

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

A single bout of exercise altered lipoprotein fractions in postmenopausal women with elevated cholesterol

Koh Y., Carter R., Chilek D., Boatwright D.

Department of Health & Kinesiology, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, USA

Aim: Sedentary lifestyle and menopause in women are associated with abnormal lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, which may accelerate atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise at moderate intensity on serum lipoprotein fractions in postmenopausal women with elevated cholesterol.
Methods: Sedentary postmenopausal women (N.=13) with elevated cholesterol (total cholesterol >5.18 mmol·L-1) randomLy performed both exercise and rest trials. For the exercise trial, participants performed a single bout of exercise at 60% of heart rate reserve on a treadmill until 1674 kJ were expended. Serum samples were collected at pre (0), 24, and 48 h following each trial to analyze the lipoprotein fractions (α, pre-β, and β) using electrophoresis.
Results: The α-lipoprotein fraction was significantly (P=0.006) higher for the exercise trial (35.7±1.1%) than the rest trial (34.9±1.1%), while the β-lipoprotein fraction in the exercise trial (56.8±2.1%) was significantly (P=0.001) lower than the rest trial (57.6±2.2%). As the main effect for time, the β-lipoprotein fraction at 24 h (56.3±2.2%) was significantly lower (P=0.008) than 0 (57.8±2.2%) or 48 h (57.5±2.2%). The pre-β fraction remained unchanged.
Conclusion: A single bout of aerobic exercise can favorably alter serum α- and β-lipoprotein fractions in sedentary postmenopausal women with elevated cholesterol.