Effect of plant sterols and endurance training on LDL particle size and distribution in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults.
BACKGROUND
Plant sterols and exercise favourably alter lipid profiles in a way that protect against future coronary heart disease (CHD). However, their effects on other indicators of CHD risk, such as LDL particle size, still need further clarification.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effect of plant sterols, exercise, and the combination of plant sterols and exercise, on LDL particle size and distribution in previously sedentary, hypercholesterolemic adults.


METHODS
In an 8-week, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial, 84 subjects were randomized to one of four intervention groups: (1) combination of sterols and exercise, (2) exercise, (3) sterol, or (4) control.


RESULTS
Exercise significantly (P < 0.05) reduced post-treatment LDL peak particle size from 255 to 253 A. Additionally, exercise significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the proportion of large LDL particles within plasma. Sterol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the estimated cholesterol concentrations within small, medium, and large LDL particles by 13.4, 13.5, and 14.4%, respectively, yet had no effect on the distribution of cholesterol among various LDL particle sizes. Furthermore, decreased body weight post-training was associated with increased cholesterol in small LDL particles (r = -0.52, P < 0.0001). Decrease in body fat percent (BF%) post-training was associated with increased cholesterol concentrations in small LDL particles (r = -0.29, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of modulating LDL electrophoretic characteristics, the present study demonstrates that plant sterols have no effect on CHD risk, while short-term exercise may potentially increase CHD risk by decreasing LDL peak particle size.


BACKGROUND
This study was sponsored by The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Varady
K A
KA
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Québec, Canada H9X 3V9.
St-Pierre
A C
AC
Lamarche
B
B
Jones
P J H
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010840:Phytosterols