Research

Exercise and postprandial lipaemia: effects on peripheral vascular function, oxidative stress and gastrointestinal transit

Miriam Clegg^1* , Conor McClean^2* , W Gareth Davison^2* , H Marie Murphy² , Tom Trinick³ , Ellie Duly³ , Jim McLaughlin⁴ , Mark Fogarty² and Amir Shafat^1*

¹  Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

²  Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Belfast, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland

³  Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, BT16 1RH, Northern Ireland

⁴  Nanotechnology Research Institute, University of Ulster, Belfast, BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Lipids in Health and Disease 2007, 6:30doi:10.1186/1476-511X-6-30

Published:	31 October 2007

Abstract

Postprandial lipaemia may lead to an increase in oxidative stress, inducing endothelial dysfunction. Exercise can slow gastric emptying rates, moderating postprandial lipaemia. The purpose of this study was to determine if moderate exercise, prior to fat ingestion, influences gastrointestinal transit, lipaemia, oxidative stress and arterial wall function. Eight apparently healthy males (age 23.6 ± 2.8 yrs; height 181.4 ± 8.1 cm; weight 83.4 ± 16.2 kg; all data mean ± SD) participated in the randomised, crossover design, where (i) subjects ingested a high-fat meal alone (control), and (ii) ingested a high-fat meal, preceded by 1 h of moderate exercise. Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) was examined at baseline, post-exercise, and in the postprandial period. Gastric emptying was measured using the ¹³C-octanoic acid breath test. Measures of venous blood were obtained prior to and following exercise and at 2, 4 and 6 hours post-ingestion. PWV increased (6.5 ± 1.9 m/sec) at 2 (8.9 ± 1.7 m/sec) and 4 hrs (9.0 ± 1.6 m/sec) post-ingestion in the control group (time × group interaction, P < 0.05). PWV was increased at 2 hrs post-ingestion in the control compared to the exercise trial; 8.9 ± 1.7 vs. 6.2 ± 1.5 m/sec (time × group interaction, P < 0.05). Lipid hydroperoxides increased over time (pooled exercise and control data, P < 0.05). Serum triacylglycerols were elevated postprandially (pooled exercise and control data, P < 0.05). There were no changes in gastric emptying, cholesterol, or C-reactive protein levels. These data suggest that acute exercise prior to the consumption of a high-fat meal has the potential to reduce vascular impairments.