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Increased physical activity found to improve NAFLD pathophysiology in obese men

In a retrospective study, obese men who performed more than 250 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per week had improved nonalcoholic fatty liver disease pathophysiology, according to findings published in Hepatology.

“The primary goal of this retrospective study was to estimate the beneficial effects of a varying volume of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity on the improvement of [nonalcoholic fatty liver disease],” the researchers wrote.

Researchers recruited 218 obese, middle-aged men from Japan to participate in a 12-week weight reduction program through lifestyle modification consisting of dietary restrictions plus aerobic exercise, according to the research. A total of 169 patients were included in the final analysis.

Among the participants, 40 performed moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) for less than 150 minutes per week; 42 performed MVPA between 150 and 250 minutes per week; and 87 performed MVPA for more than 250 minutes per week.

Results showed that participants performing MVPA for more than 250 minutes per week had significantly attenuated levels of hepatic steatosis compared with those performing less than 250 minutes per week of MVPA (– 31.8% vs. – 23.2%). The researchers stated this was independent of the detectable weight reduction.

Participants who performed MVPA more than 250 minutes per week showed a decrease in the abdominal visceral adipose tissue severity compared with participants who performed less than 150 minutes of MVPA per week (– 40.6% vs. – 12.9%), as well as decreased levels of ferritin (– 13.6% vs. + 1.5%) and lipid peroxidation (– 15.1% vs. – 2.8%). However, there was an increase in the adiponectin levels among these two groups of patients (+ 17.1% vs. + 5.6%).

Gene expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c decreased and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased with these changes, according to the research.

“The benefits seem to be acquired through reducing inflammation and oxidative stress levels and altering fatty acid metabolism,” the researchers concluded. – by Melinda Stevens

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.