Prolonged bedrest reduces plasma high-density lipoprotein levels linked to markedly suppressed cholesterol efflux capacity

Recent observations strongly connect high-density lipoproteins (HDL) function and levels with coronary heart disease outcomes and risk for infections and sepsis. To date, our knowledge of factors determining this connection is still very limited. The immobility associated with prolonged bedrest is detrimental to health, affecting several systems, including the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and urinary. Effects of prolonged bedrest on the composition and functional properties of HDL remain elusive. We evaluated metrics of HDL composition and function in healthy male volunteers participating in a randomized, crossover head-down bedrest study. We observed that HDL cholesterol efflux capacity was profoundly decreased during bedrest, mediated by a bedrest associated reduction in plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and major apolipoproteins (apo) apoA-I and apoA-II. Paraoxonase activity, plasma anti-oxidative capacity and the activities of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesteryl ester transfer protein were not affected. No change was observed in the content of HDL-associated serum amyloid A, a sensitive marker of inflammation. Resistive vibration exercise countermeasure during bedrest did not correct impaired cholesterol efflux capacity and only tended to increase arylesterase activity of HDL-associated paraoxonase. In conclusion, prolonged bedrest reduces plasma HDL levels linked to markedly suppressed HDL cholesterol efflux capacity. Resistive vibration exercise during bedrest did not correct HDL levels and impaired cholesterol efflux capacity.