The impact of aerobic and isometric exercise on different measures of dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in patients with hypertension

Association of physical activity with high-density lipoprotein functionality in a population-based cohort: the REGICOR study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To determine the dose-response association between current and past leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), total and at different intensities, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality parameters.

METHODS

Study participants (n=642) were randomly drawn from a large population-based survey. Mean age of the participants was 63.2 years and 51.1% were women. The analysis included data from a baseline and a follow-up visit (median follow-up, 4 years). LTPA was assessed using validated questionnaires at both visits. Two main HDL functions were assessed: cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL antioxidant capacity, at the follow-up visit. Linear regression and linear additive models were used to assess the linear and nonlinear association between LTPA and HDL functionality.

RESULTS

Total LTPA at follow-up showed an inverse and linear relationship between 0 and 400 METs x min/d with HDL antioxidant capacity (regression coefficient [beta]: -0.022; 95%CI, -0.030, -0.013), with a plateau above this threshold. The results were similar for moderate (beta: -0.028; 95%CI, -0.049, -0.007) and vigorous (beta: -0.025; 95%CI, -0.043, -0.007), but not for light-intensity LTPA. LTPA at follow-up was not associated with cholesterol efflux capacity. Baseline LTPA was not associated with any of the HDL functionality parameters analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Current moderate and vigorous LTPA showed a nonlinear association with higher HDL antioxidant capacity. Maximal benefit was observed with low-intermediate doses of total LTPA (up to 400 METs x min/d). Our results agree with current recommendations for moderate-vigorous LTPA practice and suggest an association between PA and HDL functionality in the general population.

Dynamic Resistance Exercise Alters Blood ApoA-I Levels, Inflammatory Markers, and Metabolic Syndrome Markers in Elderly Women

Combined endurance and dynamic-resistance exercise has important anti-inflammatory effects, altering vascular endothelial function, and helping to prevent and treat aging-related metabolic syndrome (MS). We studied changes in 40 elderly women aged ≥ 65 years (control group (no MS), n = 20, mean age: 68.23 ± 2.56 years; MS group, n = 19, mean age: 71.42 ± 5.87 years; one left). The exercise program comprised dynamic-resistance training using elastic bands, three times weekly, for six months. We analyzed body composition, blood pressure, physical fitness, and MS-related blood variables including ApoA-I, antioxidant factors, and inflammatory markers. After the program, the MS group showed significant reductions in waist-hip ratio, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, blood insulin, and HOMA-IR, and a significant increase in HSP70 (p < 0.05). Both groups showed significant increases in ApoA-I levels, ApoA-I/HDL-C ratio, SOD2, IL-4, and IL-5 levels (p < 0.05). Active-resistance training-induced changes in ApoA-I were significantly positively correlated with changes in HDL-C and HSP70, and significantly negatively correlated with changes in triglycerides, C-reactive protein, and TNF-α (p < 0.05). Active-resistance training qualitatively altered HDL, mostly by altering ApoA-I levels, relieving vascular inflammation, and improving antioxidant function. This provides evidence that dynamic-resistance exercise can improve physical fitness and MS risk factors in elderly women.

Effect of isometric handgrip exercise on cognitive function: Current evidence, methodology, and safety considerations

Cognitive function is essential for most behaviors of daily living and is a critical component in assessing the quality of life. Mounting prospective evidence supports the use of isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) as a small muscle mass practice to promote health-related outcomes in clinical and healthy populations. The aim of the present review was to systematically investigate whether IHE is effective in improving the cognitive function of adults (aged ≥18 years). Studies were identified by searching five databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, and Web of Science). Eight out of 767 studies met the inclusion criteria, including three types of studies: 1) acute effect for IHE with various intensity protocols (n = 4); 2) acute effect for IHE with one set exhaustion protocol (n = 2); and 3) chronic effect of IHE on cognitive function (n = 2). To assess the methodological quality of studies, the PEDro scale was used (mean score = 6.75). The evidence on whether IHE exerts acute positive effects on cognitive performance is currently rather inconclusive. However, a trend was discernible that implementing IHE can generate a beneficial chronic effect on cognitive function, although the results should be interpreted with caution. The clinical relevance of IHE as a time-efficient type of physical exercise to improve cognitive function warrants further investigation. Methodology and safety considerations were discussed.

Systematic Review Registration: (https://osf.io/gbzp9).

High-density lipoprotein lipid peroxidation as a diagnostics biomarker in coronary artery disease

This study aimed at evaluating the serum High-density lipoprotein lipid peroxidation (HDLox) levels and their association with coronary artery disease (CAD). This case-control study comprised 572 patients with stable CAD and 281 healthy subjects with no history of cardiovascular disease (control group). Based on the results of coronary angiography, the patient group was divided into two groups: CAD- and CAD+. HDLox was measured using a fluorimetric method. The ability of HDLox and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) to detect CAD and coronary artery stenosis ≥50% was also compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The CAD patients showed significantly higher serum HDLox levels, compared to the control group [1.15 (1.01-1.31) vs. 0.85 (0.62-1.06), no units, p < 0.001]. Moreover, serum HDLox levels were significantly lower in CAD- patients, compared to the CAD+ patients [1.05 (0.92-1.22) vs. 1.24 (1.12-1.35), no units, p < 0.001]. According to the results of univariate and multivariate logistic regression, the HDLox showed association with the presence of CAD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.754; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.564-1.968; p < 0.001) and coronary artery stenosis ≥50% (OR: 1.729; 95% CI: 1.534-1.949; p < 0.001). The results obtained from the area under the ROC curve revealed that the HDLox could better detect the risk of CAD and coronary artery stenosis ≥50% compared to serum HDL-C level. The oxidation of HDL leads to a reduction in its antioxidant function and it has a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. HDLox is suggested as a diagnostics biomarker for CAD.

Isometric exercise promotes arteriogenesis in rats after myocardial infarction

Isometric exercise (IE) is a promising intervention of noninvasive revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to investigate the impact and mechanisms of IE training on arteriogenesis in AMI. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into the sham-operation group (SO), myocardial infarction (MI) group, and 13 IE subgroups treated according to training intensity, frequency, duration, or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), or/and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) inhibitors for eight weeks. Our results demonstrated that the IE group achieved superior improvement compared with the MI group in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial infarction size (MIS), arterial density (AD), monocytes (MNCs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells (ECs), relative collateral blood flow (RCBF), MCP-1, and FGF-2 at the endpoint. Positive correlations between MCP-1 and MNCs, MNCs and FGF-2, FGF-2 and SMCs, SMCs and AD, as well as AD and RCBF were observed. This study demonstrated that with MI of 100% load 20 times daily for eight weeks, the arteriogenesis was improved, which may be attributed to the recruitment of MNCs and SMCs in remote ischemic myocardium caused by increases in MCP-1 and FGF-2 expression.

Association of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol With GFR Decline in a General Nondiabetic Population

Introduction

Although lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), experimental evidence suggest that aging, inflammation, and oxidative stress may remodel HDL-C, leading to dysfunctional HDL-C. Population studies on HDL-C and loss of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) reported inconsistent results, but they used inaccurate estimates of the GFR and may have been confounded by comorbidity.

Methods

We investigated the association of HDL-C levels with risk of GFR loss in a general population cohort; the participants were aged 50-62 years and did not have diabetes, CVD, or chronic kidney disease (CKD) at baseline. The GFR was measured using iohexol-clearance at baseline (n=1627) and at the follow-up (n=1324) after a median of 5.6 years. We also investigated any possible effect modification by low-grade inflammation, physical activity, and sex.

Results

Higher HDL-C levels were associated with steeper GFR decline rates and increased risk of rapid GFR decline (>3 ml/min per 1.73 m² per year) in multivariable adjusted linear mixed models and logistic regression (-0.64 ml/min per 1.73 m² per year [95% CI -0.99, -0.29; P < 0.001] and odds ratio 2.7 [95% CI 1.4, 5.2; P < 0.001] per doubling in HDL-C). Effect modifications indicated a stronger association between high HDL-C and GFR loss in physically inactive persons, those with low-grade inflammation, and men.

Conclusion

Higher HDL-C levels were independently associated with accelerated GFR loss in a general middle-aged nondiabetic population.

Leisure time physical activity is associated with improved HDL functionality in high cardiovascular risk individuals: a cohort study

AIMS

Physical activity has consistently been shown to improve cardiovascular health and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. However, only small and heterogeneous studies have investigated the effect of exercise on high-density lipoprotein functions. Our aim is to evaluate, in the largest observational study to date, the association between leisure time physical activity and a range of high-density lipoprotein functional traits.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 296 Spanish adults at high cardiovascular risk. Usual leisure time physical activity and eight measures of high-density lipoprotein functionality were averaged over two measurements, one year apart. Multivariable linear regression models were used to explore the association between leisure time physical activity (exposure) and each high-density lipoprotein functional trait (outcome), adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

Higher levels of leisure time physical activity were positively and linearly associated with average levels over one year of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I, paraoxonase-1 antioxidant activity, high-density lipoprotein capacity to esterify cholesterol and cholesterol efflux capacity in individuals free of type 2 diabetes only. The increased cholesterol esterification index with increasing leisure time physical activity reached a plateau at around 300 metabolic equivalents.min/day. In individuals with diabetes, the relationship with cholesteryl ester transfer protein followed a U-shape, with a decreased cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity from 0 to 300 metabolic equivalents.min/day, but increasing from there onwards. Increasing levels of leisure time physical activity were associated with poorer high-density lipoprotein vasodilatory capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

In a high cardiovascular risk population, leisure time physical activity was associated not only with greater circulating levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, but also with better markers of high-density lipoprotein functionality, namely cholesterol efflux capacity, the capacity of high-density lipoprotein to esterify cholesterol and paraoxonase-1 antioxidant activity in individuals free of diabetes and lower cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

High-intensity interval training has a greater effect on reverse cholesterol transport elements compared with moderate-intensity continuous training in obese male rats

OBJECTIVES

The present study compares the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT; 18 min) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MIT; 1 h) on reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) elements in obese subjects.

METHODS

Thirty adult male rats were induced high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. After four weeks, the rats were randomly divided into three groups while simultaneously continuing the HFD for the remaining eight weeks. Group specificities were HFD-control, HFD-MIT and HFD-HIIT. The rats were sacrificed 48 h after the last training session and the samples were collected. Analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation test were used for the statistical analyses (significance level: p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

The results showed that both HIIT and MIT improved heart ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG4, ABCG5, ABCG8, LXR-α and PPARγ gene expression as well as plasma Apo A1, LCAT, lipids and lipoproteins (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, higher cardiac ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG4, ABCG5, ABCG8 and PPARγ expression and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p ≤ 0.05) concentrations were found in the HFD-HIIT group compared with the HFD-MIT group.

CONCLUSION

HIIT may have more cardioprotective effects than MIT against atherosclerosis, along with saving time, as supported by the changes observed in the main factors involved in the RCT process.