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Impaired aerobic capacity in hypercholesterolemic mice: partial reversal by exercise training
J Niebauer1, A J Maxwell, P S Lin
1Section of Vascular Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
The American Journal of Physiology
|April 13, 1999
Summary
Exercise training improves aerobic capacity in hypercholesterolemic mice, but a deficit persists. This study investigated if exercise can reverse impaired aerobic function due to high cholesterol.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Hypercholesterolemia is linked to reduced aerobic capacity.
- The reversibility of this impairment by exercise training requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if exercise training can reverse impaired aerobic capacity in hypercholesterolemic mice.
- To explore the relationship between cholesterol levels, vascular function, and aerobic performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and wild-type controls.
- Implemented a 4-week treadmill exercise intervention.
- Assessed aerobic capacity, vascular reactivity, and nitric oxide synthesis.
Main Results:
- Cholesterol levels negatively correlated with maximum oxygen uptake.
- Exercise training improved aerobic capacity in all groups, but deficits remained in hypercholesterolemic mice.
- Vascular reactivity and nitric oxide synthesis correlated with exercise performance metrics.
Conclusions:
- Genetically induced hypercholesterolemia impairs aerobic capacity.
- Exercise training partially reverses this impairment, but a persistent difference exists.
- Impaired vascular nitric oxide synthesis may contribute to reduced aerobic capacity in hypercholesterolemia.