Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is a worldwide, leading cause of chronic liver disease, not yet approved medical treatment standards. The aim is to assess the effects of aerobic exercise sand calorie-restricted (CR) diet on many clinical and laboratory findings in patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatatis (NASH). Methods: In Randomized controlled trial study, in Mashhad, between February 2010 -August 2011, Twenty-five patients with NASH, in ranging ages of 18 -55, were randomly selected to be divided in to two groups, who received CR-diet and aerobic exercise (n = 12) and CR-diet alone (n = 13). We measured Anthropometric indices, cardio-respiratory fitness, and biochemical profiles in three steps, in baseline, and after 8 -12 weeks of intervention. We measured hepatic steatosis and patient's quality of life by ultra-sonography and short form (questionnaire) 36 in three steps. Data was then analyzed by paired and independent samples T Test. Results: We observed a significant improvement in BP, FBS, TG, HOMA-IR, ultra-sonography grading of steatosis and quality of life, only in patients who received aerobic exercises. (P value 0.021, 0.005, 0.006, 0.042, 0.010 and 0.012). Waist circumference, waist-toheight ratio, serum ALT and peak oxygen consumption improved in both groups; however, improvement was significantly, higher in patients who received aerobic exercises (P value 0.027, 0.011, 0.020 and 0.020). Body weight, BMI, body fat percentage and AST improved in both groups but they were not significantly different. No significant changes noted in total cholesterol, LDL and HDL in groups. Conclusions: Add of aerobic exercises to CR diets can, not only enhance the therapeutic effects of calorie-restricted diet, but also bring more benefits in patients with NASH.

Introduction: Leptin, generated by the obesity gene, acts as an anti-obesity hormone that plays a key role in regulating weight. We aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of selected aerobic training on serum leptin levels, anthropometric indices and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in obese men. Methods: Twenty healthy elderly men were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 10) groups. The program training included 45 minutes per session, three times per week for eight weeks of participation in aerobic exercise classes with 55-60% HRR. Pre-and post-aerobic exercise, serum leptin levels, anthropometric indices and VO2max were evaluated. To make intra and intergroup comparisons, t-test for dependent and independent samples were used. For all statistical comparisons, the level of significance was set at P > 0.05. Results: Eight weeks of aerobic exercise led to a significant increase of Vo2max (P = 0.01). The amount of leptin (P = 0.007), weight (P = 0.002), BMI (P = 0.003), body fat percentage (P = 0.002) and WHR (P = 0.013) in sedentary obese men in the experimental group significantly reduced. The variations of weight, BMI, BFP, WHR and Vo2max in the two groups had differences. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the selected aerobic training had a favorable influence on improvement of serum leptin levels and VO2max in obese men.

Introduction:Obesity is associated with several complications like metabolic syndrome. Many professional athletes adopt a sedentary lifestyle after retirement. This study was aimed at assessing the risk of developing obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic syndrome among former power-sports athletes, compared with age-matched active athletes and nonathletes.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted in Mashhad during 2012–2014. The individuals were recruited through announcements and were divided into three groups of active athletes (n = 34), ex-athletes (n = 30), and nonathletes (n = 30). Demographic and anthropometric data were collected and biochemical factors including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were measured.Results:Ex-athletes had significantly higher mean values of weight, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, LDL-C, insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) IR, and HOMA β-cell function (HOMA-%β-cell) compared with active athletes and nonathletes (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.03, P = 0.01, P = 0.02, and P = 0.01, respectively). However, mean values of HDL-C was significantly lower in ex-athletes compared with nonathletes (P < 0.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome showed no significant difference among three groups, although its mean was higher among ex-athletes.Conclusions:The results showed that abandoning regular athletic exercise and weight cycling in power sports athletes leads to adverse outcomes such as obesity and IR. Although higher IR might not necessarily result in metabolic syndrome in short term, it could cause metabolic syndrome in the long run.

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