Physical activity as a protective factor for development of non-alcoholic fatty liver in men

Abstract

Objective To determine the impact of physical activity on the prevalence of fatty liver, metabolic and cardiovascular disease in adult men.Methods This study evaluated 1,399 men (40.7±8.18 years) with body mass index of 26.7kg/m2 (±3.4) who participated in the Protocol of Preventive Health Check-up at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein from January to October 2011. We conducted tests of serum blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, reactive c-protein, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The statistical analysis comprised in the comparison of mean and standard deviation. The analysis of variance was based in two paths of two way ANOVA, Student’s t-test, Mann Whitney U test, Wald test and χ2. We considered a significance level at p<0.05 and correlation of univariate Poison with 95% confidence interval.Results :Fatty liver was diagnosed in 37.0% of the sample. Triglyceride levels of active men with fatty liver were 148.2±77.6mg/dL while inactive men with fatty liver had 173.4±15.6mg/dL. The remaining serum levels were normal. Inactive individuals showed higher values than active. In addition, inactive individuals have 10.68 times higher risk of developing fatty liver compared with active.Conclusion Physical activity improves metabolic parameters such as triglycerides, weight control, HDL, which interfere in the development of fatty liver. Physically active individuals had lower fatty liver prevalence regardless of values of body composition and lipid profile, leading the conclusion that physical activity has a protective role against development of fatty liver.

Neuroendocrinological and Epigenetic Mechanisms Subserving Autonomic Imbalance and HPA Dysfunction in the Metabolic Syndrome

“…It has, from this perspective, been argued that MetS manifestation is a consequence of high carbohydrate intake, as it attenuates high fasting glucose levels, triggers insulin secretion, contributes to high plasma triglycerides, attenuates the HDL proportion and supports high blood pressure (Volek and Feinman, 2005 ; Westman et al, 2007 ). A further transitional state toward MetS is seen in the development of a fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including dyslipidaemia, associated with sedentary life style and lack of physical exercise (Pinto et al, 2015 ). High carbohydrate intake is typically associated with microbiotic fermentation of nondigestible polysaccharides, which are transformed into better manageable short chain fatty acids (SFCAs, acetate, propionate, and butyrate) that, however, increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-inflammatory cytokines, decrease gut membrane integrity, and induce epigenetic modifications via inhibition of histone deacetylases, thus reducing respective gene expression (Tan et al, 2014 ).…”

Survival effects of physical activity on mortality among persons with liver disease

“…Emerging research provides suggestive evidence that regular participation in physical activity (PA) may help to prevent against liver disease ( Ryu et al, 2015 , Berzigotti and Saran, 2015 , Whitsett and VanWagner, 2015 , Keating et al, 2015 , Pinto et al, 2015 , Hallsworth et al, 2015 ). The most common cause of liver disease in the United States is a spectrum of liver conditions known collectively as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).…”

The Effect of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training on Hepatic Enzymes in Males With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

“…Although there were significant changes in many variables, the changes did not lead to a desirable point. Pinto et al noted significant decrease in BM, HDL and TG levels in active males with fatty liver (12). Also Khaoshbaten showed significant decrease of lipid profiles after three months of aerobic exercise (22).…”

“…Be-sides overweight, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase are markers of liver dysfunction (11). Studies suggested that the fatty liver metabolic parameters could improve by lifestyle modification by increasing physical activity and changing bad eating habits (12,13); therefore the relationship between physical activity (PA) and liver enzyme levels aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and AST/ALT are shown (11,14). Haus et al noted that shortterm exercise reduces the risk of NAFLD progression by improving the hepatic lipid profiles (15).…”