# Association between polymorphisms of the adenylate cyclase 3 gene rs2241759 and the effect of high-intensity interval training on blood lipid profiles

PMID: 40231066
Journal: PeerJ
Published: 2025
Authors: Lai J, Gong L, Liu Y, Li Y, Ni J, Zhou D

## Question

Are ADCY3 rs2241759 polymorphisms associated with lipid responses to 12 weeks of HIIT in Chinese Han college students?

## Summary

In 237 Chinese Han college students, 12 weeks of running/walking HIIT improved HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides, while total cholesterol rose slightly overall. The study also found that the ADCY3 rs2241759 polymorphism was associated with LDL-C response.

## Population

- Chinese Han university students with non-regular exercise habits.
- Sample size: 237
- Age: 21.00 +/- 1.11 years
- Sex: 109 men and 128 women
- Fitness level: Non-regular exercise
- Health status: Healthy

## Methodology

- Single-group pre/post genetic association training study
- 12 weeks
- Chinese university exercise settings including outdoor/indoor tracks and treadmill when needed

## Protocol

- Progressive running/walking HIIT.
- Modality: Running/walking.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds to 4 minutes.
- Recovery: 15 seconds to 3 minutes walking.
- Sets or repetitions: 56, 28, 14, 7, then 4 intervals by phase.
- Intensity: 80%-90% VO2max work.
- Session duration: 28 minutes.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Weeks 1-4 increased interval duration; weeks 5-12 used 4 x 4 minutes.

## Outcomes

### HDL-C
Status: improved
HDL-C increased after 12 weeks.

+0.276 +/- 0.251 mmol/L, p<0.001.

### LDL-C
Status: improved
LDL-C decreased after 12 weeks.

-0.335 +/- 0.417 mmol/L, p<0.001.

### Triglycerides
Status: improved
Triglycerides decreased after 12 weeks.

-0.110 +/- 0.382 mmol/L, p<0.001.

### rs2241759
Status: mixed
rs2241759 was associated with LDL-C response.

p=0.04363 after covariates.

## Practical Insights

- A 12-week progression from short intervals to 4 x 4-minute intervals is feasible in a supervised university setting.
- Genetic-response findings are not ready for consumer personalization.

## Limitations

- No non-exercise control group.
- Diet was not strictly controlled.
- Healthy young Chinese Han sample limits generalizability.
- Relatively small sample for genetic-response inference.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported.
- Participants completed an exercise risk questionnaire and researchers performed an exercise risk assessment.
- VO2max testing used dynamic ECG monitoring; training sessions used Polar heart-rate monitoring, RPE, and professional supervision.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40231066/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.19271) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995890/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.