Exercise Prevents Fructose‐Induced Hypertriglyceridemia in Healthy Young Males

Abstract

A high fructose intake increases plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations in sedentary humans, but the effects of exercise are not known. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a weight‐maintenance, high fructose diet with or without moderate physical activity.8 healthy males were studied on three occasions, after 4 days on a) a diet low in fructose and no exercise (Ctrl), b) a diet with 30% fructose and no exercise (Fru), or c) a diet with 30% fructose and moderate exercise (60 min cycling at 125 W; FruEx). In each condition, energy intake was adjusted to energy requirements (resting energy requirements times 1.5 for Ctrl and Fru, times 1.7 for FruEx). On each occasion, substrate oxidation was measured by calorimetry and de novo lipogenesis was assessed from VLDL 13C‐palmitate after 13C‐fructose loading.Fru significantly increased TG by 18 ± 12%, and VLDL 13C‐palmitate by 333 ± 231% (both p<0.05 vs Ctrl). FruEx blunted the increase in TG (−6 ± 9%), VLDL 13C‐palmitate (−55 ± 28%), and increased lipid oxidation, non‐esterified fatty acid and beta‐hydroxybutyric acid concentrations by 122 ± 45%, 34 ± 16%, and 48 ± 17 % (all p<0.05 vs Ctrl).We conclude that a moderate exercise prevents fructose‐induced dyslipidemia in healthy males, independently of energy balance. This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation