Association of moderate aerobic exercise and rho-associated kinase 2 concentration in subjects with dyslipidemia

INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia is associated with increased rho-associated kinase 2 (ROCK2) concentration. Whether moderate aerobic exercise could attenuate leukocyte ROCK2 concentration is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred subjects with dyslipidemia and without statin treatment were enrolled and assigned to exercise and control groups. In the exercise group, at least 30 min of moderate aerobic exercise per day 5 times weekly was recommended. In the control group, participants were recommended to undertake exercise of the same intensity as the exercise group but not mandatorily. At baseline and 3 months later, between-group differences were compared. RESULTS: At baseline, dyslipidemia in both groups was characterized by increased serum levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was comparably increased too, and the average daily exercise time was extremely low: 5.8 ±2.7 min and 6.2 ±3.1 min respectively. Leukocyte ROCK2 concentration in the two groups was 38.4 ±7.5 mg/ml and 40.2 ±8.2 mg/ml respectively. Three months later, compared with the control group, average daily exercise time was significantly longer in the exercise group (37.4 ±4.3 min vs. 16.5 ±7.5 min, p < 0.05). Leukocyte ROCK2 concentration was also significantly reduced (27.6 ±4.3 mg/ml vs. 34.6 ±5.2 mg/ml, p < 0.05). Serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the exercise group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that NO and exercise time were significantly associated with leukocyte ROCK2 concentration after adjusting for traditional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate aerobic exercise could effectively attenuate leukocyte ROCK2 concentration in subjects with dyslipidemia.