The impact of aerobic and isometric exercise on different measures of dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in patients with hypertension

Abstract

Background: Exercise training increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, but its effect on HDL function is unclear. In hypertensives, exercise improves endothelial dysfunction, which is related to HDL function. In the present study, we assess for the first time the effects of different exercise modalities on two cell-free assays of HDL function. Design: The study was conducted as a prospective randomized controlled trial in 75 hypertensive patients. Methods: Patients were randomized in three groups: (a) handgrip isometric training five times weekly; (b) placebo-handgrip; and (c) aerobic exercise training at least three times per week. HDL function was assessed in serum samples at baseline and after 12 weeks of training by two independent assays that determine the proinflammatory phenotype (haptoglobin content) of a specific amount of HDL (Haptoglobin-HDL [HPHDL]) and oxidized HDL (HDLox) as a measure of reduced antioxidant function of HDL. HDL function measures were normalized by the measures of a pooled control of sera from healthy participants and by HDL-C levels (normalized ratio, no units). Results: Aerobic exercise led to significant reduction of the HDLox from 0.99 ± 0.27 to 0.90 ± 0.29 (no units, p = 0.03). The HPHDL did not change in any training group. Changes of HDLox correlated with reduction of the systolic blood pressure only after aerobic exercise (R = 0.64, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Aerobic but not isometric exercise improves the antioxidant function of HDL in patients with hypertension. This improvement correlates positively with reductions of blood pressure.

Association of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol With GFR Decline in a General Nondiabetic Population

“…[20][21][22][23] In this study we investigated the association of HDL-C levels with decline in measured GFR in persons from the general population without pre-existing CKD, diabetes or CVD. Because physical activity, low-grade inflammation, and sex have been shown to influence HDL-C functionality, 9,12,24,25 we also investigated any possible effect modification caused by these factors.…”

Leisure time physical activity is associated with improved HDL functionality in high cardiovascular risk individuals: a cohort study

“…Intervention studies are scant and have failed to produce consistent results on the effect of exercise on HDL antiinflammatory capacity 10 13 . A recent study in patients with hypertension found an effect of an aerobic intervention on antioxidant but not anti-inflammatory capacity of HDL, measured by cell-free assays 13 .…”

The role of high density lipoprotein in the determination of the vascular effects of chronic exercise training in hypertensive patients

“…Taking into account the above-mentioned considerations, the association reported by Pagonas et al 1 between the reduction of daytime ambulatory BP and decrease in circulating oxHDL after aerobic exercise training could be explained on the basis of the postexercise elevation of serum non-oxidized HDL levels, which is characterized by a vasorelaxant potential (Figure 1). The fact that this association referred only to daytime and not to nighttime BP is in line with the previously shown preferential reduction of daytime BP after aerobic exercise training.…”

“…The original research article of Pagonas et al entitled 'The impact of aerobic and isometric exercise on different measures of dysfunctional high density lipoprotein in patients with hypertension' investigated the differential effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training on the functional properties of high density lipoprotein (HDL) as potential mediators of the accompanied improvement of vascular function in hypertensive patients. 1 Specifically, only chronic aerobic exercise downregulated circulating oxidized HDL (oxHDL) and the exercise-induced decrease in oxHDL correlated with the reduction of systolic, as well as diastolic, daytime ambulatory blood pressure (BP). No previous study has evaluated the role of HDL in the context of chronic exercise-induced amelioration of vascular function.…”