Abstract
BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) that includes an accumulated exercise regimen that meets or exceeds a certain intensity reduces intrahepatic fat, leading to the improvement of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in afflicted patients. However, whether an increase in comprehensive PA, including activities of daily living, contributes to ameliorating the pathophysiology of NAFLD remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether PA improves liver function in patients with NAFLD.MethodsThe study included 45 patients with NAFLD who underwent follow-up examinations at least 6 months—but no later than 1 year—after their baseline examinations. The patients were interviewed about their daily activities and exercise habits to determine whether they had engaged in at least 3 metabolic equivalents (METs) per day during the previous 6 months; the quantity of PA, expressed in Ekusasaizu (Ex) units, was calculated as METs multiplied by hours. Patients who had achieved at least a 1-Ex increase in PA per week compared to baseline at the time of their follow-up interview (the PA increase group) were compared to those whose PA was the same or lower at the time of follow-up (the PA non-increase group).ResultsThere were no significant changes in all blood and biochemical parameters in the PA non-increase group at the time of follow-up when compared with baseline levels. In the PA increase group, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-guanosine triphosphate levels were all significantly lower at follow-up than they were at baseline. Body weight did not change significantly from baseline to follow-up in both groups.ConclusionsIn the present study, hepatic inflammation improvement was accompanied by increased PA but not decreased body weight. Increasing PA may be effective for the improvement of hepatic inflammation even without body weight loss. Our results indicate the effectiveness of PA monitoring for the management of NAFLD.Trial registrationUMIN-CTR, UMIN000038530
Highlights
Physical activity (PA) that includes an accumulated exercise regimen that meets or exceeds a certain intensity reduces intrahepatic fat, leading to the improvement of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in afflicted patients
Among 108 patients diagnosed with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) between March 2013 and December 2018 according to the diagnostic criteria issued by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology [1], 45 who underwent follow-up examination at least 6 months after baseline—but no more than 1 year after—were examined
We noted significant improvements in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and γ-guanosine triphosphate (γ-GTP) levels in the PA increase group, which comprised subjects with increased PA by a mean of 6 Ex at followup compared to baseline
Summary
Physical activity (PA) that includes an accumulated exercise regimen that meets or exceeds a certain intensity reduces intrahepatic fat, leading to the improvement of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in afflicted patients. Whether an increase in comprehensive PA, including activities of daily living, contributes to ameliorating the pathophysiology of NAFLD remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether PA improves liver function in patients with NAFLD. Because physical activity (PA) improves obesity, blood glucose levels, and lipid concentrations while decreasing blood pressure [6], it is considered effective for managing NAFLD. Increasing PA to attain a certain minimum intensity may improve NAFLD by reducing intrahepatic fat. Whether an increased comprehensive PA regimen comprising exercise and more vigorous daily activity affects the long-term pathophysiology of NAFLD remains unclear
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