Acute Effects Of A Single Bout Of Exercise On Intrahepatic And Intramyocellular Triglyceride In Obese Individuals With Nafld

Abstract

High amounts of intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) and intramyocellular triglyceride (IMTG) are common metabolic complications associated in obese individuals with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Caloric restriction is often prescribed to treat NAFLD, however, the effects of aerobic exercise in reducing IHTG and IMTG is unknown. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single bout of the aerobic exercise on IHTG and IMTG content obese individuals with NAFLD. METHODS: Ten obese people (Means ± SD, Age 45.2 ± 5.2 years, BMI = 38.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2) with NAFLD performed a single bout of aerobic exercise (60 minutes at 50% of V02max) on a motor driven treadmill. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to evaluate IHTG and IMTG content before and immediately after the exercise bout. IMTG was evaluated from the soleus muscle. Duel Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure body weight and percent body fat. RESULTS: A single bout of aerobic exercise resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in IHTG from before (15.0 ± 1.8%) to after (12.2 ± 1.2%) the exercise bout. IMTG significantly (p < 0.05) decreased from before (3.2 ± 0.7%) to after (1.5 ± 0.8%) the single exercise bout. As expected there was no significant change in body weight (104.1 ± 3.2 kg and 103.9 ± 3.3 kg) or percent body fat (30.0 ± 2.0% and 30.2 ± 2.1%) before and after the exercise bout. CONCLUSION: Performing even a single bout of aerobic exercise reduces IHTG and IMTG obese persons with NAFLD.