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Plant sterols (PS) lower total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and inflammatory markers, and decrease risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Exercise increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and decreases triglycerides (TG) and inflammation, also reducing the risk of CVD. The study objective was to investigate the combined effects of PS and exercise on apolipoproteins (apo) A and B, adiponectin, growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin, in context of previously obtained lipid data. In an 8-wk, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial, 84 subjects were randomly assigned to: (1) combination of PS and exercise, (2) exercise, (3) PS, or (4) control group. PS increased (P=0.04) adiponectin values by 15%. ApoA was associated with HDL and apoB with LDL values at baseline. ApoA %change was correlated to HDL %change in the exercise group. ApoB, GH and ghrelin were unchanged. The capability of PS to increase adiponectin values reinforce their role in preventing inflammation, atherosclerosis, and CVD.

The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II (NCEP ATP II) unequivocally advocates an initial trial of dietary modification in both primary and secondary prevention prior to the institution of pharmacotherapy. Perhaps the rationale for this delay rests in the inherent, yet unsubstantiated, fear among clinicians that lifestyle change will be compromised in the presence of concurrent pharmacotherapy. However, the question of adherence to diet and exercise interventions following the initiation of lipid-lowering drug therapy has seemingly never been addressed scientifically. / It was therefore hypothesized that pharmacologically-treated patients with untreated hypercholesterolemia started on a program of lifestyle modification would achieve relatively less reduction in dietary fat intake and body weight, and participate less often in physical activity, if a pharmacologic agent was simultaneously prescribed. This was tested by a protocol in which these and related variables were assessed in participants who thought they were taking a lipid-lowering medication at diagnosis, compared to conventional initial treatment of diet and exercise alone. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of two different modes of exercise in an overweight and obese population over a 12-week period. Subjects: Forty-four overweight or obese individuals were recruited from a weight loss organisation. Participants were randomised into one of two groups which were matched according to age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The interventions consisted of either intermittent interval exercise (INT group), or intermittent steady-state exercise (SS group). Participants in both groups were on an identical strict caloric diet during the intervention period. Methods: Baseline and post-intervention testing consisted of the assessment of aerobic fitness, blood lipid profile, resting metabolism, body composition, vascular function, quality of life and activity levels. The exercise regime for the INT group consisted of a 1:2 min ratio of moderate intensity (70 75% V&O2peak) to low intensity exercise (40 45% V&O2peak), while the SS group exercised continuously between 50 55% V&O2peak. Total work per session was the same per group. Exercise consisted of walking/jogging twice daily for 15 mins five days per week. Eighteen participants dropped out of the study leaving 12 in the INT group and 14 in the SS group. Results: Peak oxygen uptake and exercise time to exhaustion increased significantly over time in the interventions (P < 0.001). Significant positive changes occurred in several blood tests, including liver function, insulin like growth factor (IGF- 1) and lipid levels (cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and coronary risk ratio, all P < 0.05 over time). Additionally, uric acid and VLDL levels significantly decreased over time in the SS and INT groups, respectively (P < 0.05), whereas IGF-1 levels significantly increased in the SS group over time (P < 0.05). Body composition measures, including BMI, body mass, fat mass, percent of body fat, gynoid obesity and hip circumference, as well as waist circumference decreased significantly over time (P < 0.05). Several components of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire (physical function, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function and mental health) improved significantly over time (P < 0.05), while mental health also significantly improved over time in the SS group (P < 0.01). Finally, anxiety and depression levels were significantly reduced over time (P < 0.05). However, none of these changes over time significantly differed between the two groups. Conclusion: Both exercise interventions resulted in significant improvement over time in numerous health and fitness variables in an overweight and obese population. No significant differences were found, in the interaction term during a 2-way ANOVA, between the two groups at post-intervention. A longer intervention period, or changes to interval duration and intensities may result in more significant differences between the two training methods.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S. Ed.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-40). Also available via the Internet.