Int J Sports Med 1988; 09(4): 270-274
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1025020
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Heparin-Released Plasma Lipase Activities, Lipoprotein and Apoprotein Levels in Young Adult Cyclists and Sedentary Men

F. Giada*, G. Baldo-Enzi, M. R. Balocchi, G. Zuliani, L. Baroni, R. Fellin
  • Department of Internal Medicine, University of Padua, Policlinico, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova (Italy)
  • *Service of Sports Medicine, Hospital of Noale, Venice, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, apolipoproteins A-l and B, and lipolytic enzyme activities were studied in 14 young male cyclists and in 21 age-matched sedentary controls.

While there were no significant differences in serum cholesterol between the two groups, the cyclists showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (P < 0.05) and LDL cholesterol (P < 0.05) and had significantly higher levels of HDL cholesterol (P < 0.01) and HDL2 cholesterol (P < 0.001). Significantly lower serum cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (P < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (P < 0.001) ratios and a significantly higher HDL2 cholesterol/HDU cholesterol ratio (P < 0.001) were observed in the athletes. Serum apolipoprotein B was lower and the Apo B/Apo A-l ratio significantly reduced in the athletes. No significant differences emerged between the two groups in plasma post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity (LPL) and in hepatic triglyceride lipase activity (HTGL), and there were no correlations between HDL cholesterol and lipolytic enzyme activities.

In conclusion, this cross-sectional study may indicate that an aerobic training program such as cycling is associated with an advantageous lipoprotein pattern; some factors other than lipolytic activity may contribute to increase the HDL cholesterol levels in physical training.