Aerobic exercise reduces triglycerides by targeting apolipoprotein C3 in patients with coronary heart disease

Background Aerobic exercise, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on plasma lipids, has been recommended as an effective measure to improve the prognosis of individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD). Apolipoprotein C3 (apoC3) is associated with hypertriglyceridemia and is therefore closely related to CHD. Hypothesis We measured apoC3 concentration change in patients with CHD before and after long-term aerobic exercise. Methods Thirty-eight patients with coronary heart disease were randomly assigned to a non-exercise group (19 patients) or exercise group (19 patients). Both groups received essential drugs for CHD. The non-exercise group was kept sedentary while the exercise group performed moderate-intensive aerobic exercise for 8 weeks. Lipid levels and apoC3 levels were measured on the first day and 8 weeks later. Results Exercise for 8 weeks led to a significant decrease in concentration of triglyceride and apoC3 compared with the baseline. Triglyceride concentration changes were positively associated with apoC3 level changes. Conclusions Aerobic exercise can improve the lipid profile. It is effective in decreasing triglycerides by targeting apoC3 levels in patients with coronary heart disease.