LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS AND BODY-BUILDERS EXHIBIT ELEVATED PLASMA-LEVELS OF LIPOPROTEIN(A)

A one-point cross-sectional study of 20 sedentary individuals, 20 low- aerobic athletes (body-builders), and 20 high-aerobic athletes (long d istance, endurance runners) was conducted in Mexico City, Mexico to de termine the influence of these diverse life-styles on the plasma level s of Lp(a). Only non-obese male subjects, aged 23-33, who were nonsmok ers, non-alcoholics, and had never used anabolic steroids were include d in this study. Blood samples were drawn 24 h following the last peri od of physical activity, and after a 12-14-h fast-period and a 15-min sitting-rest. Plasma levels of Lp(a) and other parameters, including p ostheparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities , triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), as well as % body fat and muscle mass, a nd maximum aerobic capacity (Vo(2max)) were measured to determine poss ible correlations with Lp(a) and to serve as convenient internal stand ards. Mean Lp(a) concentrations were significantly higher in the runne rs (52+/-19 mg/dl) than in the body-builders (40+/-6.4 mg/dl, P<0.05) and the sedentary subjects (24+/-5 mg/dl, P<0.001). Positive correlati ons between Lp(a) and Vo(2max) (P<0.001), HDL-C (P<0.005) and HDL(2)-C subfraction (P<0.005), and a negative correlation with TG were determ ined. Agglomerative cluster methods suggested three close-distance clu sters and a fourth cluster which is composed of four runners who exhib ited low LDL-C/HDL-C and high LPL/HL ratios, high mean Lp(a), HDL(2)-C , and Vo(2max) levers, but low TG levels. These data show that some in dividuals who maintain a life-style of very high level physical exerti on may have remarkably elevated plasma Lp(a) concentrations. The highl y increased concentrations of Lp(a) in high exercise athletes may repr esent a normal metabolic response to repeated small tissue injuries re sulting from frequent and prolonged large muscle movement.