Abstract
Physical exercise increase is confirmed as a fundamental treatment for hypercholesterolemia
patients, but the effect on the arterial stiffness and oxidative stress is still unclear.
74 hypercholesterolemia patients were divided into 2 groups. The exercise group received
dietary recommendations and a 3-month exercise program, prescribed according to their
first cardiopulmonary exercise tests(CPET), while the control group only received
dietary recommendations. All patients underwent blood tests, CPET and brachial-ankle
pulse wave velocity (baPWV) studies at enrollment and at 3 months’ follow-up. At the
end of 3 months, there was no change in total cholesterol (TC) level in either group.
However, in the exercise group, we found maximal exercise parameters increased and
baPWV values declined. Meanwhile, there were significant changes in the level of malondialdehyde,
8-isoprostane-F2α and superoxide dismutase. Moreover, the change of baPWV was positively correlated
with the change of 8-isoprostane-F2α (r=0.36, P<0.01). In the control group, no change in baPWV or oxidative biomarker
was observed. Our findings suggested that regular aerobic exercise could lessen arterial
stiffness in hypercholesterolemia patients, even in the context of no obvious TC decrease.
During this process, favorable adjustment in oxidative stress might be an important
pathway, which remains to be further explored.
Key words
arterial stiffness - aerobic training - hypercholesterolemia - oxidative stress
