This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LAMON-FAVA, S. Articles by SCHAEFER, E. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by LAMON-FAVA, S. Articles by SCHAEFER, E. J.

Effect of Exercise and Menstrual Cycle Status on Plasma Lipids, Low Density Lipoprotein Particle Size, and Apolipoproteins^*

Lipid Metabolism Laboratory and Human Physiology Laboratory (E.C.F., M.E.N., W.J.E.), United StatesDepartment of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: E. J. Schaefer, M.D., Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

Habitual physical exercise has been reported to have beneficial effects on plasma lipoproteins. To examine this question in women, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and B levels, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size were determined in 25 women runners (9 of whom had exercise-related secondary amenorrhea) and 36 agematched nonexercising women (controls). The eumenorrheic runners had significantly lower apo B levels and significantly greater mean apo A-I/apo B ratios and LDL particle sizes than did the control women (P < 0.05). Lower apo B levels were correlated with decreased body mass index, a known exercise effect (P< 0.0001). In addition, normally menstruating runners had cholesterol and triglyceride levels that were 7.6% and 25.4% lower, respectively, and apo A-I levels that were 6.4% higherthan control women (P=NS). In amenorrheic runners all parameters were similar to values in control women, except that apo B levels were 20% lower (P < 0.05). Amenorrheic runners had lower plasma apo A-I levels (13%) and significantly lower apo A-I/apo B ratios and estradiol levels than eumenorrheic runners, and serum estradiol values in the runners were correlated with apo A-I levels (P < 0.01). These data indicate that the beneficial effects of strenuous exercise on plasma apo A-I levels and apo A-I/apo B ratios in women runners can be reversed by exerciseinduced amenorrhea and decreased serum estradiol levels, and that women runners have lower apo B levels than nonexercising women, regardless of menstrual status

^* This work was supported by Contract 53-3KO6-5-10 from the USDA Research Service.

Received May 25, 1988.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. O'Donnell, P. J. Harvey, J. M. Goodman, and M. J. De Souza Long-term estrogen deficiency lowers regional blood flow, resting systolic blood pressure, and heart rate in exercising premenopausal women Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 2007; 292(5): E1401 - E1409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Lamon-Fava, J. B. Barnett, M. N. Woods, C. McCormack, J. R. McNamara, E. J. Schaefer, C. Longcope, B. Rosner, and S. L. Gorbach Differences in Serum Sex Hormone and Plasma Lipid Levels in Caucasian and African-American Premenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2005; 90(8): 4516 - 4520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J. De Souza and N. I. Williams Physiological aspects and clinical sequelae of energy deficiency and hypoestrogenism in exercising women Hum. Reprod. Update, September 1, 2004; 10(5): 433 - 448. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. J Tikkanen, V. Vihma, M. Jauhiainen, A. Hockerstedt, H. Helisten, and M. Kaamanen Lipoprotein-associated estrogens Cardiovasc Res, November 1, 2002; 56(2): 184 - 188. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. E. Campbell, D. J. Angus, and M. A. Febbraio Glucose kinetics and exercise performance during phases of the menstrual cycle: effect of glucose ingestion Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, October 1, 2001; 281(4): E817 - E825. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. I. Williams, A. L. Caston-Balderrama, D. L. Helmreich, D. B. Parfitt, C. Nosbisch, and J. L. Cameron Longitudinal Changes in Reproductive Hormones and Menstrual Cyclicity in Cynomolgus Monkeys during Strenuous Exercise Training: Abrupt Transition to Exercise-Induced Amenorrhea Endocrinology, June 1, 2001; 142(6): 2381 - 2389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. T.K. Singh, D. L. Rainwater, S. M. Haffner, J. L. VandeBerg, W. R. Shelledy, P. H. Moore Jr, and T. D. Dyer Effect of Diabetes on Lipoprotein Size Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, November 1, 1995; 15(11): 1805 - 1811. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. Campos, G. O. Roederer, S. Lussier-Cacan, J. Davignon, and R. M. Krauss Predominance of Large LDL and Reduced HDL2 Cholesterol in Normolipidemic Men With Coronary Artery Disease Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, August 1, 1995; 15(8): 1043 - 1048. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. H. Slyper Low-Density Lipoprotein Density and Atherosclerosis: Unraveling the Connection JAMA, July 27, 1994; 272(4): 305 - 308. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Shangold, R. W. Rebar, A. C. Wentz, and I. Schiff Evaluation and Management of Menstrual Dysfunction in Athletes JAMA, March 23, 1990; 263(12): 1665 - 1669. [Abstract] [PDF]