Male rats, 28 weeks of age were subjected to a ten week exercise program in conjunction
with various physiological doses of L-thyroxine. Serum and hepatic cholesterol levels
were lowered significantly by the exercise, in the animals with intact thyroid. Thyroid
replacement groups indicated that, in general, an intact thyroid was necessary for
a loss in total body cholesterol. Experimental, physiological hyperthyroidism significantly
lowered serum and hepatic cholesterol. These results indicate that this program of
exercise may affect cholesterol dynamics by increasing TSR or by preventing the decrease
in TSR which normally occurs with aging.
Cholesterol Metabolism - Exercise - Physiological Levels of Thyroxine - Thyroid Secretion
Rate
