Biochemical markers and levels of physical activity related to the hepatic condition of patients infected by the hepatitis C virus

Abstract

SummaryStudy aim: The study is quantitative, with a cross-sectional comparison design, and aimed to verify the association between physical activity (PA) levels and biochemical markers linked to liver function of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Material and methods:The following biochemical variables were analyzed: alanine aminotransferases (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGt), and alkaline phosphatase (FA), these being good markers for hepatic damage, besides glycemia, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short version, was used to evaluate the levels of physical activity, being classified as active and physically inactive. Results: The sample consisted of 84 individuals aged 56.2 ± 11.6 years; there was a predominance of males, patients with different socioeducational patterns and those followed up for more than 6 months in the hepatology service with positive serology for HCV and HCV (RNA+), attending the Institute of Liver and Transplants of Pernambuco (IFP). The results obtained in this study indicate smaller values of the median with maximum and minimum scores of the analyzed parameters in patients considered to be physically active (ALT: p = 0.43, FA: p = 0.86 and γGt: p = 0.15, glycemia: p = 0.22, LDL: p = 0.58, HDL: P = 0.004, triglycerides: p = 0.47), in comparison with the physically inactive patients. It is concluded that patients who have a higher level of physical activity present lower values of biochemical markers, positively affecting their hepatic condition. Conclusions: There was only a significant difference in the HDL variable, but the patients with a lower level of physical activity showed greater values in general, less in the triglyceride variability. In order to test these and other important variables and improve the quality of life and health by a more direct method.

Different levels of physical activity and anthropometric profile in patients infected with hepatitis C virus

“…The emergence of these comorbidities allied to HCV in fection causes a double impairment in health condition since the virus causes damage in the hepatocytes due to their replication activity [18]. These benefits are caused by the ability of the physical activity to positively modulate the metabolic profile by several factors, among which is the increase in aerobic capacity that helps avoid immune and energetic dysfunctions and decreases the susceptibil ity to associated diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is commonly found in patients infected with hepatitis C virus [4,26]. Liver enzymes are widely used in clinical practice to provide important information about the health condition of the liver.…”

“…High-density lipoprotein is associated with low risk in development of cardiovascular diseases. The literature shows that the regular practice of physical activ ity has the capacity to maintain and improve the plasma quantitative levels of this lipoprotein [4,9]. Surprisingly, the physically active group demonstrated higher levels of HDL in comparisons to both insufficiently active and very physically active groups.…”