Physical activity versus sedentary behavior: associations with lipoprotein particle subclass concentrations in healthy adults

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) may have independent effects on health and disease. This might be due to PA and SED having distinct effects on lipoprotein metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine associations between lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations (-P) and accelerometer-measured SED and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in a sample of healthy adult subjects.

Methods: Lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, whereas SED and MVPA were measured using Agtigraph GT1M and GT3X+ accelerometers. We obtained valid data in 73 subjects (30 men and 43 women, age 40.5 ± 10.6 years; body mass index 24.0 ± 2.8). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine associations (partial correlations) with lipoproteins.

Results: Positive associations were detected between SED and small VLDL-P, large LDL-P and TG (partial r = 0.24 to 0.25, p < .047). Corresponding associations were non-significant for MVPA (partial r = -0.12 to 0.04, p > .355). On the contrary, MVPA was positively associated with large HDL-P, average HDL size, Apo A1 and HDL-cholesterol (partial r = 0.28 to 0.50, p < .027), whereas SED was not (partial r = -0.06 to 0.07, p > .607).

Conclusion: There might be a specific effect of SED versus MVPA on lipoprotein metabolism. However, our results must be interpreted carefully due to possible effect-modification by gender and a low sample size. Thus, our findings should be viewed as preliminary.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1. Variable loadings on the two principal components for diet.

A higher score on PC 1 DIET indicates that a subject consume (mainly) more carbohydrate and less fat, whereas a higher score on PC 2 DIET indicates that a subject consume (mainly) less sugar and more fiber.

Figure 2. Associations between SED/MVPA and lipoproteins.

Pattern of associations (partial r) for SED versus MVPA with lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations (associations are tested with each lipoprotein particle separately based on a full model adjusted for gender, age, WC and diet). Partial rs ≥ 0.24 are statistically significant. (VLDL-P = very low density lipoprotein particle concentration; LDL-P = low density lipoprotein particle concentration; HDL-P = high density lipoprotein particle concentration; Apo = apolipoprotein; TC = total cholesterol; LDL-C = low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C = high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG = triacylglycerol).

Figure 3. Associations between SED/MVPA and lipoproteins in each gender group.

Pattern of associations (partial r) for SED versus MVPA with lipoproteins subclass particle concentrations (associations are tested with each lipoprotein particle separately based on a full model adjusted for gender, age, WC and diet) in a) women and b) men. Partial rs ≥ 0.33 are statistically significant for women; no associations were statistically significant in men. (VLDL-P = very low density lipoprotein particle concentration; LDL-P = low density lipoprotein particle concentration; HDL-P = high density lipoprotein particle concentration; Apo = apolipoprotein; TC = total cholesterol; LDL-C = low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C = high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG = triacylglycerol).