Exercise Training Improves Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidability in Untrained Subjects With Coronary Artery Disease

Ziegler S, Schaller G, Mittermayer F, Pleiner J, Mihaly J, Niessner A, Richter B, Steiner-Boeker S, Penak M, Strasser B, Wolzt M. Exercise training improves low-density lipoprotein oxidability in untrained subjects with coronary artery disease.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that regular exercise alters low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidability in patients with coronary artery disease.DesignLongitudinal study.SettingGeneral hospital and community.ParticipantsThirteen patients.InterventionsTraining program comprising running bouts twice weekly over 2 months.Main Outcome MeasuresPlasma lipid profile, oxidized LDL, and rate (Oxrate) and amount (Oxamount) 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.ResultsLipid profile and oxidized LDL remained unchanged, but mean Oxrate and Oxamount ± 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.ConclusionsAerobic 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.