HDL biology
Six months of aerobic exercise raises oxidized-HDL levels in women without any change in CETP or adiponectin concentration (Free Radic Res 2016)
Original title: 6-mo aerobic exercise intervention enhances the lipid peroxide transport function of HDL
In a randomized controlled trial of 161 sedentary women aged 43 to 63 not using hormone therapy, comparing a 6-month aerobic exercise program against a control group, oxidized-HDL (ox-HDL) concentration rose 5% in the exercise group and fell 2% in controls (P=.003), and the ratio of ox-HDL to HDL cholesterol rose 5% in the exercise group versus a 1.5% fall in controls (P=.036). Serum triglycerides trended toward a 6% decrease in the exercise group (P=.051). Concentrations of CETP and adiponectin did not change during the intervention in either group, indicating the exercise-induced rise in ox-HDL was unrelated to CETP or adiponectin levels, consistent with HDL playing an active role in transporting lipid peroxides independent of these two factors.
Original abstract
During acute exercise, the concentration of oxidized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) lipids (ox-HDL) is reported to increase suggesting that HDL may function in decreasing the concentration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids. However, the effect of exercise intervention on the lipid peroxide transport function of HDL is unknown. A randomized controlled trial with sedentary women (N = 161), aged 43-63, with no current use of hormone therapy, were randomized into a 6-month (mo) exercise group and a control group. During the 6-mo intervention, the concentration of ox-HDL increased in the exercise group by 5% and decreased in the control group by 2% (p = .003). Also, the ratio of ox-HDL to HDL-cholesterol increased by 5% in the exercise group and decreased by 1.5% in the control group (p = .036). The concentrations of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and adiponectin did not change during the intervention. The concentration of serum triglycerides trended to decrease by 6% in the intervention group (p = .051). We found that the concentration of ox-HDL increased during the 6-mo aerobic exercise intervention, but the increase was not related to changes in the levels of CETP or adiponectin. These results, together with earlier studies, suggest that HDL has an active role in the reverse transport of lipid peroxides.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.