Numerous studies have demonstrated improvements in lipid and lipoprotein levels with endurance exercise training and weight loss. However, less is known about the contribution of the enzyme cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) to the response of lipoprotein levels to a physical activity/healthy eating lifestyle modification program.
Objective:
To examine the effect of a 1-year lifestyle modification program inducing loss of visceral adipose tissue on plasma CETP mass in abdominally obese dyslipidemic men.
Methods:
Plasma CETP mass concentration was measured by ELISA at baseline and after a 1-year lifestyle modification program in 116 abdominally obese men aged 30 to 65 years without diabetes. Visceral adiposity was assessed by computed tomography and a complete fasting plasma lipoprotein-lipid profile was also obtained at baseline and after the intervention.
Results:
After 1 year, no significant changes were observed in CETP mass (1.91±0.45 vs.1.93±0.49 mg/l, ns). However, both HDL (81.7±2.1 vs. 83.8±3.1 Å, p<0.0001) and LDL (252.1±3.9 vs. 253.6±3.7 Å, p<0.0001) particle sizes assessed by gradient gel electrophoresis were increased. Whereas no significant correlation between change in HDL size and CETP mass was observed, change in LDL size was significantly correlated with change in CETP mass (r=−0.30, p=0.001). We also divided men into two groups: men who showed no change or an increase in their CETP mass (ΔCETP≥0) and men who decreased their CETP mass (ΔCETP<0). Men who reduced their CETP mass after one year showed a greater increase in LDL size (Δ 2.37±3.18 vs.0.32±3.04 Å, p=0.0006) and a greater decrease in triglyceride levels (Δ-0.70±0.86 vs. −0.34±0.80 mmol/l, p=0.03) than men who showed no change or an increase in CETP mass. A Multivariate analysis revealed that 19% of the variance in the response of LDL size could be attributed to changes in triglyceride levels (15%) and in CETP mass (4%) (p=0.02).
Conclusion:
Whereas no significant change in CETP mass was observed, our results showed that individual variation in the response of CETP mass contributed to the response of LDL particle size to a 1-yr lifestyle modification program in viscerally obese dyslipidemic men.
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