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Lipid Transfer to HDL is Higher in Marathon Runners than in Sedentary Subjects, but is Acutely Inhibited During the Run

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Lipids

Abstract

Although exercise increases HDL-cholesterol, exercise-induced changes in HDL metabolism have been little explored. Lipid transfer to HDL is essential for HDL’s role in reverse cholesterol transport. We investigated the effects of acute exhaustive exercise on lipid transfer to HDL. We compared plasma lipid, apolipoprotein and cytokine levels and in vitro transfer of four lipids from a radioactively labeled lipid donor nanoemulsion to HDL in sedentary individuals (n = 28) and in marathon runners (n = 14) at baseline, immediately after and 72 h after a marathon. While HDL-cholesterol concentrations and apo A1 levels were higher in marathon runners, LDL-cholesterol, apo B and triacylglycerol levels were similar in both groups. Transfers of non-esterified cholesterol [6.8 (5.7–7.2) vs. 5.2 (4.5–6), p = 0.001], phospholipids [21.7 (20.4–22.2) vs. 8.2 (7.7–8.9), p = 0.0001] and triacylglycerol [3.7 (3.1–4) vs. 1.3 (0.8–1.7), p = 0.0001] were higher in marathon runners, but esterified-cholesterol transfer was similar. Immediately after the marathon, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and apo A1 levels were unchanged, but apo B and triacylglycerol levels increased. Lipid transfer of non-esterified cholesterol [6.8 (5.7–7.2) vs. 5.8 (4.9–6.6), p = 0.0001], phospholipids [21.7 (20.4–22.2) vs. 19.1 (18.6–19.3), p = 0.0001], esterified-cholesterol [3.2 (2.2–3.8) vs. 2.3 (2–2.9), p = 0.02] and triacylglycerol [3.7 (3.1–4) vs. 2.6 (2.1–2.8), p = 0.0001] to HDL were all reduced immediately after the marathon but returned to baseline 72 h later. Running a marathon increased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, but after 72 h these values returned to baseline. Lipid transfer, except esterified-cholesterol transfer, was higher in marathon runners than in sedentary individuals, but the marathon itself acutely inhibited lipid transfer. In light of these novel observations, further study is required to clarify how these metabolic changes can influence HDL composition and anti-atherogenic function.

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Abbreviations

HDL:

High-density lipoprotein

LDL:

Low-density lipoprotein

HDL-C:

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL-C:

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

VLDL:

Very low-density lipoprotein

IDL:

Intermediate-density lipoprotein

Apo:

Apolipoprotein

CETP:

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein

PLTP:

Phospholipid transfer protein

NEC:

Non-esterified cholesterol

EC:

Esterified cholesterol

PL:

Phospholipids

TAG:

Triacylglycerol(s)

IL:

Interleukin

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

CHD:

Coronary heart disease

PON:

Paraoxonase

BMI:

Body mass index

NaCl:

Sodium chloride

KBr:

Potassium bromide

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Jeferson Silva for contributing to the discussion of the manuscript. This study was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa de São Paulo (FAPESP), São Paulo, Brazil. Prof. Maranhão has a research grant from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimanto Cientifico e Tecnológico (CNPq, 475819/2010-1), Brasília, Brazil.

Conflict of interest

All the authors participated in the design of the study, interpretation of the data and writing of the manuscript. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Mauro Vaisberg

  2. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    André L. L. Bachi

  3. The Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Conceição Latrilha & Raul C. Maranhão

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil

    Sergio P. Bydlowski

  5. Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, São Paulo, Brazil

    Giuseppe S. Dioguardi

  6. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Raul C. Maranhão

  7. Laboratório de Metabolismo de Lípides, Instituto do Coração (InCor) do Hospital das Clinicas, FMUSP, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, 1º subsolo, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil

    Raul C. Maranhão

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  1. Mauro Vaisberg
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Correspondence to Raul C. Maranhão.

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Vaisberg, M., Bachi, A.L.L., Latrilha, C. et al. Lipid Transfer to HDL is Higher in Marathon Runners than in Sedentary Subjects, but is Acutely Inhibited During the Run. Lipids 47, 679–686 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-012-3685-y

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