Exercise improved accumulation of visceral fat and simultaneously impairedendothelium-dependent relaxation in old rats

Exercise decreases plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides, and simultan eously, increases high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, Furthermore, it has been reported that exercise improves Insulin resistance. As a result , exercise is believed to aid in preventing atherosclerosis, However, we do not know whether exercise protects against the development of atherosclero sis in the elderly. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether exercise prevented atherosclerosis in aorta of old rats, Exercise for three months did not affect plasma lipid levels but decreased accumulation of visceral f at and body weight without the reduction of food intake in two year old rat s. Exercise also decreased triglycerides in liver and gastrocnemius white m uscle, Exercise resulted in an elevation of plasma lipid peroxide (LPO) lev els without affecting superoxide dismutase (SOD), Exercise impaired the end othelium-dependent relaxation of the thoracic aorta caused by acetylcholine in old rats. In summary, the results of our study indicate that exercise i nduces the reduction of visceral fat, body weight and triglyceride contents in tissues in old rats. These results seems to show that exercise improves insulin resistance. However, exercise simultaneously may cause impaired en dothelium-dependent relaxation by elevation of LPO in old rats.