ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Exercise training improves low-density lipoprotein oxidability in untrained subjects with coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that regular exercise alters low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidability in patients with coronary artery disease. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: General hospital and community. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen patients. INTERVENTIONS: Training program comprising running bouts twice weekly over 2 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma lipid profile, oxidized LDL, and rate (Ox(rate)) and amount (Ox(amount)) of LDL reaction products were measured at baseline and after 2 months of training. Brachial artery endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation was assessed by use of ultrasound. RESULTS: Lipid profile and oxidized LDL remained unchanged, but mean Ox(rate) and Ox(amount) +/- standard deviation were reduced from 2.5+/-1.5nmol.mgLDL(-1).min(-1) and 120.3+/-75.3nmol/mgLDL at baseline to 0.4+/-0.2nmol.mgLDL(-1).min(-1) and 21.3+/-11.4nmol/mgLDL after training (P<.05), respectively. Brachial artery vasodilation was suggested to be improved, but statistical significance was not reached in the small cohort under study. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic training enhances the resistance of LDL to oxidation in patients with coronary artery disease, which may play a role in the favorable effects of exercise.
