This study was designed to investigate whether physical inactivity decreased HDL cholesterol through changes in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). For that purpose, 24 healthy, male volunteers (aged 23.1±0.5 years) were investigated in eucaloric conditions before and at the end of 35 days of experimental bed rest. Results showed that bed rest led to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, presented as increased triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol, but not LDL cholesterol. Availability of CETP significantly increased after bed rest, but fat mass did not change significantly. Changes in the ratio between HDL and non-HDL cholesterol was inversely correlated with changes in CETP concentrations. Thus, results suggest that physical inactivity decreases HDL cholesterol, at least partly, through CETP upregulation.
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