Increase in the ratio of serum levels of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II during prolonged physical strain and calorie deficiency.

Effects of four days of intense physical activity on serum concentrations of total triglycerides, total cholesterol and apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and B were studied in 35 well-trained young men. Serum total triglyceride levels decreased to 70% of baseline levels after 24 h, and fell further to 50% of baseline levels after 4 days. Serum levels of total cholesterol fell steadily to about 80% of baseline levels on the 4th day. Apo-B levels fell to 85% of baseline levels after 24 h, and remained at that level. Apo A-I fell to about 90%, and apo A-II to about 80% of baseline levels, causing a significant increase in the ratio of apo A-I to apo A-II. The intraindividual changes in apo B were positively correlated to changes in cholesterol during the first day (r = 0.60). The changes in apo A-I and apo A-II had no significant correlation with changes in total cholesterol or triglycerides, or with one another, suggesting that apo A-I and apo A-II are metabolized independently during conditions of hard physical exercise.