Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia: effects of a caloric restricted type IV diet versus physical training plus isocaloric type IV diet.

Serum lipids, plasma insulin and glucagon, aerobic capacity, and body composition were examined in middle-aged men (X age = 44.2 years) with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia to determine the relative effectiveness of a caloric restricted type IV hyperlipoproteinemia diet (group A) versus physical training plus an isocaloric type IV diet (group B). After 9 weeks of the above interventions, reductions (P less than 0.01) in mean cholesterol levels from 213 to 186 (12% change) and from 205 to 185 mg/dl (9% change), and in triglyceride levels from 332 to 211 (29% change) and from 263 to 138 mg/dl (42% change) were found for groups A and B, respectively. A small reduction in mean fasting insulin level was found only in group B; this reduction appeared inversely associated with increases in aerobic capacity in group B (r = -0.66). Both interventions were without effect on fasting glucagon levels. The physical training program prescribed resulted in a 12% increase in aerobic capacity (group B). Significant mean body weight reductions of 7.7 lb (P less than 0.01) and 2.9 lb (P less than 0.01) were seen for groups A and B, respectively; these absolute body weight reductions differed significantly (P less than 0.05) between groups. Both groups significantly lost body fatness (P less than 0.01). These reductions in body weight and body fatness appeared independent of changes in lipid levels. These results demonstrate that both interventions reduce serum lipids in men with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia but that physical training plus an isocaloric type IV diet may be the more advantageous of the two regimens, since a greater percentage decrease and a more sustained reduction in serum triglyceride levels, and a greater reduction of fasting hyperinsulinemia were observed in group B.