The effects of high-intensity resistance exercise on the blood lipid profile and liver function in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012 Jun;37(3):448-54. doi: 10.1139/h2012-008. Epub 2012 Apr 12.

Abstract

It is well established that atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by high levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, constitutes important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise has been associated with a reduced risk for metabolic diseases. However, studies supporting the concept that resistance exercise is a modifier of blood lipid parameters are often contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-intensity resistance exercise on the serum levels of TG, TC, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol, glucose, and the liver function enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1) in golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus (Waterhouse, 1839)) fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Sedentary groups (S) and exercise groups (E) were fed a standard diet (SS and ES) or a cholesterol-enriched diet (standard plus 1% cholesterol, SC and EC). Resistance exercise was performed by jumps in the water, carrying a load strapped to the chest, representing 10 maximum repetitions (10 RM, 30 s rest, five days per week for five weeks). Mean blood sample comparisons were made by ANOVA + Tukey or ANOVA + Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.05) to compare parametric and nonparametric samples, respectively. There were no differences in blood lipids between the standard diet groups (SS and ES) (p > 0.05). However, the EC group increased the glucose, non-HDL, and TC levels in comparison with the ES group. Moreover, the EC group increased the TG levels versus the SC group (p < 0.05). In addition, the ALT levels were increased only by diet treatment. These findings indicated that high-intensity resistance exercise contributed to dyslipidemia in hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, whereas liver function enzymes did not differ in regards to the exercise protocol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cricetinae
  • Diet / methods
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood*
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver Function Tests / methods
  • Liver Function Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / methods*
  • Physical Exertion*
  • Risk Factors
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Cholesterol
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase