The Effect of Exercise on Paraoxonase-1 Activity and Lipid Profile in Obesity and Insulin Resistance Conditions

In the absence of insulin, regular physical activity facilitates the glucose entry into the cell via affecting several signaling pathways. Moreover, regular exercise improves the lipid profile and increases the paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity. PON-1 interacts with High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and, in the presence of calcium, hydrolyzes free radicals, prevents low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, maintains homocysteine structure in the blood, and inhibits hemoglobin glycation. These factors explain one of the beneficial effects of regular exercise on prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, there is a positive relationship between decreased PON-1 activity and the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, gastric cancer, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of physical activity on the PON-1 activity and lipid profile. Regular physical activity increased HDL and PON-1 activity in patients with metabolic syndrome. Since PON-1 binds to HDL and increased HDL probably increases the PON-1 activity as well. This finding suggests that regular exercise decreases the effect of one bout exercise on PON-1 response. In addition, in order to improve metabolic syndromes, it is advised to perform aerobic exercise for 150 minutes per week with an intensity of 40-60% of the heart rate reserve (HRR). The exercises should be preferably performed in 3-5 sessions per week according to the intensity. Based on the disease progression, type of consumed drugs, and certain considerations in each group of patients, aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises can be performed by using large muscle groups in a continuous training mode. However, in dyslipidemia, continuous aerobic exercises are preferred.