• Christel H Kamani, Baris Gencer, Fabrizio Montecucco, Delphine Courvoisier, Nicolas Vuilleumier, Philippe Meyer, and François Mach.
• Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Specialties, Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Eur. J. Clin. Invest. 2015 Oct 1; 45 (10): 1017-24.

BackgoundRegular physical activity is recommended to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a healthy population. Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was shown to reduce (LDL-C) levels; however, the impact of physical exercise on PCSK9 levels remains unclear.Materials And MethodsWe used data from 67 healthy hospital employees who participated in a 6-month intervention promoting active use of stairs instead of elevators during 3 months, followed by 3 months without recommendation. We confirmed the degree of physical activity with estimated aerobic capacity (VO2 max ) and measured serum PCSK9 levels at baseline, 3 and 6 month. Using a multilevel regression model, we analysed changes of PCSK9 levels over time adjusting for age, gender, aerobic capacity, baseline LDL-C, and LDL-C and body mass index (BMI) changes.ResultsAt baseline, PCSK9 levels were associated with higher aerobic capacity (P-value = 0·024). At 3 months, we observed a significant decrease in mean PCSK9 levels from 403·6 to 324·3 ng/mL (P-value = 0·001), as well a significant decrease in mean LDL-C levels from 3·5 to 3·3 mM (P-value = 0·01). During this period, mean aerobic capacity (VO2 max ) increased from 37·0 to 40·4 mL/kg/min (P-value < 0·001). Physical activity was independently associated with a decrease in PCSK9 levels after adjustment for age, gender, baseline aerobic capacity, and LDL-C and BMI changes.ConclusionDaily physical activity at the work place is independently associated with a decrease in PCSK9 levels over time.© 2015 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

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