Reduced triglyceride secretion: a metabolic consequence of chronic exercise

Abstract

Chronic exercise training is recognized to reduce plasma lipid levels in man and animals, but the mechanism(s) mediating this phenomenon have not been defined. In the present study, we examined triglyceride (TG) production and disposal in vivo in a genetic model of human type IV hyperlipemia, the obese Zucker rat. Utilizing the normolipemic thin littermate as the control, we investigated endogenous production of TG utilizing the Triton methodology and peripheral disposal of an exogenous lipid emulsion utilizing Intralipid injection. In the sedentary state, the hyperlipemic obese Zucker rat demonstrated a threefold elevation in triglyceride secretion rate relative to the normolipemic thin littermate. After a 3-wk period of exercise training, a reduction of basal plasma TG concentration of 42% was associated with a 51% reduction in TG secretion rate, a change adequate to account for the hypolipemic response. Moreover, chronic exercise training also improved the ability to dispose of an Intralipid load. A similar reduction in TG production with reduced TG removal was observed in the thin normolipemic rats, a result that suggests that the lipid lowering response to exercise training may be predominantly mediated by reduced secretion of TG. The possible relationship between reduced TG secretion and alterations in the bihormonal axis of insulin and glucagon are discussed.