Blood and lipids metabolism in rats under hypokinesia

It has been demonstrated that hypokinesia (diminished muscular activity) induces marked changes in metabolic processes of animal and human organisms. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine biochemical changes in the blood and tissues of 117 white male rats weighing 180-220 g under 60-day's of exposure to hypokinesia (HK). They were divided into two groups: the 1st group of rats was subjected to pure HK, that is, without the use of any preventive measures, and the 2nd group was placed under ordinary vivarium conditions and served as control. For the simulation of the hypokinetic effect, the 1st group of rats was kept in small individual cages made of plexiglass. Food and water intake was identical for both groups of rats. The animals were decapitated on the 1st, 3rd, 15th, 30th and 60th days of the experimental period. The contents of cholesterol, beta-lipoproteins and total lipids in the blood serum and in the tissues (skeletal muscles, heart, liver and brain) of rats were measured by conventional methods. The levels of cholesterol and beta lipoproteins in the blood serum were increased. The cholesterol content in the tissues, especially skeletal muscles, was increased. The amounts of lipids in the skeletal muscles, liver, and to a less extent in the heart, were attenuated. It was concluded that the mechanisms of lipid and cholesterol metabolism in the blood and tissues of rats were markedly impaired under diminished muscular activity conditions.