title: Influence of fitness status on very-low-density lipoprotein subfractions and lipoprotein(a) in men and women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the physical activity level of men and women on the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) subfractions and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Fifty-four men (n = 30) and women (n = 24) aged 30 to 53 years were recruited based on their level of activity over the past 2 years, and formed three groups: sedentary (S), no routine activity; recreational exercise (R), routine moderate exercise three to five times per week; and trained (T), competition-based, high-volume aerobic training five to seven times per week. Each subject underwent a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test and was measured for body composition (skinfolds) and waist to hip ratio (WHR). Following a prescribed 24-hour diet and abstinence from activity, a blood sample was obtained from each subject and the plasma was analyzed for cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs) in VLDL1, VLDL2, and VLDL3 subfractions. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and Lp(a) also were analyzed. Total VLDL-C was higher in men than in women, but no gender differences were observed in VLDL subfractions. VLDL1-TG and VLDL2-TG were elevated in the S group compared with groups R and T, even though total VLDL-TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C values were not different among the groups. Values for Lp(a) were not significantly different between men and women or among the groups. The two exercising groups were not different on any lipoprotein variable or WHR. VLDL1-TG was inversely correlated with VO2max and HDL-C. These results suggest that life-style activity is associated with a favorable VLDL subfraction pattern and WHR, but not Lp(a). In addition, long-term recreational activity is associated with a lipoprotein profile and WHR similar to those obtained with higher-volume exercise training.
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211, USA.
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ziogas
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011998:Recreation; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C030106:very low density lipoprotein triglyceride; D002784:Cholesterol