The effects of physical exercise on plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein metabolism in elderly men

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of physical exercise on plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein metabolism in elderly men. We measured plasma concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins (apo) in 12 elderly runners (OR), 12 elderly sedentary controls, 16 young runners (YR), and 15 young sedentary controls. Although there were no significant differences in plasma levels of cholesterol (Ch), triglyceride, and phospholipid between two old groups and between two young groups, OR and YR had decreased levels of VLDL-Ch (42% and 59% of respective control) and LDL-Ch (90%, 94%), and increased levels of HDL-Ch (133%, 112%), apo A-I (109%, 101%), and apo A-II (109%, 105%). These data indicate that physical exercise may have favorable effects on plasma concentrations of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in OR as well as in YR, and affect HDL-lipids, HDL-proteins, and ratio of HDL-proteins/HDL-lipids.