Abstract
Physical exercise protects against the development of cardiovascular disease, partly by lowering plasmatic total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. In addition, it is now established that reduction plasmatic adiponectin and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels play a role in the maintenance of an inflammatory state and in the development of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to examine plasma lipid profile and inflammatory markers levels in individual with sedentary lifestyle and/or highly trained athletes at rest. Methods: Fourteen male subjects (sedentary lifestyle n = 7 and highly trained athletes n = 7) were recruited. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast (~12 h). The plasmatic lipid profile (Triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, LDL-oxidized and total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio), glucose, adiponectin, C - reactive protein and PAI-1 levels were determined. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, TG and PAI-1 levels were lower in highly trained athletes group in relation to sedentary subjects (p < 0.01). In addition, we observed a positive correlation between PAI-1 and total cholesterol (r = 0.78; p < 0.0009), PAI-1 and LDL-c (r = 0.69; p < 0.006) and PAI-1 and TG levels (r = 0.56; p < 0.03). The plasma concentration of adiponectin, CRP, glucose, HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio levels were not different. These results indicate that lifestyle associated with high intensity and high volume exercise induces changes favourable in the lipid profile and PAI-1 levels and may reduce risk cardiovascular diseases.
Highlights
The several studies have consistently shown that low levels of plasmatic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and high levels of low- and very low-density lipoprotein (LDL and VLDL, respectively) are linked with a sedentary lifestyle and are strong predictor to cardiovascular disease [1,2,3,4,5]
It is established that reduction in the plasma to adiponectin and increased plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels play a role in the maintenance of an inflammatory state and in the development of cardiovascular disease [4]
They observed that subjects who had trained by running on the treadmill for 8 weeks at 90% VO2peak had a reduced rate of VLDLTG secretion, suggesting that subjects that perform high intensity exercise induced changes in plasmatic lipid profile
Summary
The several studies have consistently shown that low levels of plasmatic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and high levels of low- and very low-density lipoprotein (LDL and VLDL, respectively) are linked with a sedentary lifestyle and are strong predictor to cardiovascular disease [1,2,3,4,5]. It is established that reduction in the plasma to adiponectin and increased PAI-1 and CRP levels play a role in the maintenance of an inflammatory state and in the development of cardiovascular disease [4]. It is much less known if these pro- and anti-inflammatory markers are related to the lipoproteins and cholesterol levels in plasma. While competitive exercise training programs (characterized by moderate/high intensity and long duration) seem to reduce the LDL and total cholesterol and to increase the HDL concentration, evicting the progression or appearance of inflammatory atherosclerotic process [6], it remains slightly unknown if highly trained athletes have lower pro-inflammatory and higher anti-inflammatory markers than sedentary subjects
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