High density lipoprotein cholesterol in individuals with spinal cord injury : The potential role of physical activity

• Published in: Spinal cord Vol. 37; no. 10; pp. 685 - 695
• Main Authors: WASHBURN, R. A, FIGONI, S. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing 01.10.1999
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Exercise - physiology; Humans; Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents; Medical sciences; Spinal Cord Injuries - blood; Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Physical exercise; Human; Nervous system diseases; Spinal cord; Cholesterol HDL; Central nervous system disease; Exploration; Spinal cord disease; Trauma
• ISSN: 1362-4393; 1476-5624
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.sc.3100917

Literature review. Papers were selected from a literature search of both the Medline and Current Contents data bases and through extensive cross checking of references from the author's personal files. To evaluate the evidence for a reduced level of HDL-C in individuals with spinal cord injury and to discuss physiologic and behavioral factors that may be responsible for the observed reduction, with emphasis on the role of physical activity. The evidence presented suggests that HDL-C may be lower in persons with SCI; however, the available data should be interpreted cautiously due to lack of control for important confounding factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity. Results suggest a potential association between increased physical activity and increased HDL-C in persons with SCI. However, the mode, frequency, intensity and duration of activity and the physiologic mechanism responsible for this association have yet to be clearly elucidated.