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Effect of plant sterols and endurance training on LDL particle size and distribution in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults.

Varady KA, St-Pierre AC, Lamarche B, Jones PJ

School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Québec, Canada H9X 3V9.

BACKGROUND: Plant sterols and exercise favourably alter lipid profiles in a way that protect against future coronary heart disease (CHD). However, their effects on other indicators of CHD risk, such as LDL particle size, still need further clarification. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of plant sterols, exercise, and the combination of plant sterols and exercise, on LDL particle size and distribution in previously sedentary, hypercholesterolemic adults. DESIGN: In an 8-week, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial, 84 subjects were randomized to one of four intervention groups: (1) combination of sterols and exercise, (2) exercise, (3) sterol, or (4) control. RESULTS: Exercise significantly (P < 0.05) reduced post-treatment LDL peak particle size from 255 to 253 A. Additionally, exercise significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the proportion of large LDL particles within plasma. Sterol supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the estimated cholesterol concentrations within small, medium, and large LDL particles by 13.4, 13.5, and 14.4%, respectively, yet had no effect on the distribution of cholesterol among various LDL particle sizes. Furthermore, decreased body weight post-training was associated with increased cholesterol in small LDL particles (r = -0.52, P < 0.0001). Decrease in body fat percent (BF%) post-training was associated with increased cholesterol concentrations in small LDL particles (r = -0.29, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: On the basis of modulating LDL electrophoretic characteristics, the present study demonstrates that plant sterols have no effect on CHD risk, while short-term exercise may potentially increase CHD risk by decreasing LDL peak particle size. SPONSORSHIP: This study was sponsored by The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Published 1 April 2005 in Eur J Clin Nutr, 59(4): 518-25.
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