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Postprandial triglyceride responses to aerobic exercise and extended-release niacin
Eric P Plaisance1, Michael L Mestek, A Jack Mahurin
1Department of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA. plaisep@auburn.edu
Background:
Aerobic exercise and niacin are frequently used strategies for reducing serum triglycerides, and, yet, there is no information regarding the combined effects of these strategies on postprandial triglycerides.
Objective:
We compared the effects of aerobic exercise and 6 wk of extended-release niacin on postprandial triglycerides in men with the metabolic syndrome.
Design:
Fifteen participants underwent each of 4 conditions: control--high-fat meal only (100 g fat); exercise--aerobic exercise performed 1 h before a high-fat meal; niacin--high-fat meal consumed after 6 wk of niacin; and niacin + exercise--high-fat meal consumed after 6 wk of niacin and 1 h after aerobic exercise. Temporal responses for triglyceride and insulin concentrations were measured and total (AUC(T)) and incremental (AUC(I)) areas under the curve were calculated. Differences were determined by using a 2-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance (P < 0.05 for all).
Results:
Exercise lowered the triglyceride AUC(I) by 32% compared with control (724 +/- 118 and 1058 +/- 137, respectively). Niacin had no influence on the triglyceride AUC(I) and attenuated the triglyceride-lowering effect of exercise when combined. Niacin + exercise had no effect on the triglyceride AUC(I) but decreased the insulin AUC(I) after niacin administration.
Conclusions:
Aerobic exercise lowers the postprandial triglyceride response to a high-fat meal. Niacin lowers fasting but not postprandial triglycerides and appears to influence the triglyceride-lowering effect of aerobic exercise when combined. However, exercise decreases postprandial insulin concentrations after niacin administration, which illustrates the potential metabolic benefits of exercise in persons taking niacin.
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