title: Hybrid training of voluntary and electrical muscle contractions reduces steatosis, insulin resistance, and IL-6 levels in patients with NAFLD: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical inactivity is a risk factor for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). "Hybrid training", a training that involves both voluntary and electrical muscle contractions, causes beneficial alterations in muscles even after short durations of exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of hybrid training in patients with NAFLD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients with NAFLD who were resistant to lifestyle counseling were assigned to a hybrid-training group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 23). In the hybrid-training group, quadriceps and hamstrings were contracted voluntarily or electrically for 19 min twice a week. In the control group, patients received lifestyle counseling. The therapeutic efficacy of the hybrid training was evaluated after 12 weeks of the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hepatic steatosis grade were significantly decreased in the hybrid-training group compared to that of the control group (-14.1 ± 5.8 vs. 3.5 ± 5.4 IU/mL; P < 0.05, -0.67 ± 0.19 vs. 0.09 ± 0.06 grade; P < 0.01, respectively). No significant changes were seen between the two groups in skeletal muscle mass. The decreases in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value and in serum IL-6 levels were significantly greater in the hybrid-training group than in the control group (-6.2 ± 3.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.6; P < 0.05, -3.1 ± 1.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5 pg/mL; P < 0.01, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hybrid training of voluntary and electrical muscle contractions improved hepatic steatosis and reduced insulin resistance and serum IL-6 levels in NAFLD patients who are resistant to lifestyle counseling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Disease Information and Research, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. takumi@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shiba
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsugaki
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itou
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakata
authors.forename: Eitaro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Kensei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sata
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D000410:Alanine Transaminase