High-intensity exercise attenuates postprandial lipaemia and markers of oxidative stress

Regular exercise can reduce the risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease). Although moderate-intensity exercise can attenuate postprandial TAG (triacylglycerol), high-intensity intermittent exercise might be a more effective method to improve health. We compared the effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise and 30 min of brisk walking on postprandial TAG, soluble adhesion molecules and markers of oxidative stress. Nine men each completed three 2-day trials. On day 1, subjects rested (control), walked briskly for 30 min (walking) or performed 5 x 30 s maximal sprints (high-intensity). On day 2, subjects consumed a high-fat meal for breakfast and 3 h later for lunch. Blood samples were taken at various times and analysed for TAG, glucose, insulin, ICAM-1 (intracellular adhesion molecule-1), VCAM- 1 (vascular adhesion molecule-1), TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), protein carbonyls and beta-hydroxybutyrate. On day 2 of the high-intensity trial, there was a lower (P < 0.05) incremental TAG AUC (area under the curve; 6.42 +/- 2.24 mmol/l per 7 h) compared with the control trial (9.68 4.77 mmol/l per 7 h) with no differences during day 2 of the walking trial (8.98 +/- 2.84 mmol/l per 7 h). A trend (P = 0.056) for a reduced total TAG AUC was also seen during the high-intensity trial (14.13 +/- 2.83 mmol/l per 7 h) compared with control (17.18 +/- 3.92 mmol/l per 7 h), walking showed no difference (16.33 +/- 3.51 mmol/l per 7 h). On day 2 of the high-intensity trial plasma TBARS and protein carbonyls were also reduced (P < 0.05) when compared with the control and walking trials. In conclusion, high-intensity intermittent exercise attenuates postprandial TAG and markers of oxidative stress after the consumption of a high-fat meal.