Modified high-intensity interval training reduces liver fat and improves cardiac function in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.
Although lifestyle changes encompassing weight loss and exercise remain the cornerstone of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) management, the effect of different types of exercise on NAFLD is unknown. This study defines the effect of modified high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on liver fat, cardiac function and metabolic control in adults with NAFLD. Twenty-three patients with NAFLD [age 54±10 years, body mass index (BMI) 31±4 kg/m(2), intra-hepatic lipid >5%) were assigned to either 12 weeks HIIT or standard care (controls). HIIT involved thrice weekly cycle ergometry for 30-40 min. MRI and spectroscopy were used to assess liver fat, abdominal fat and cardiac structure/function/energetics. Glucose control was assessed by oral glucose tolerance test and body composition by air displacement plethysmography. Relative to control, HIIT decreased liver fat (11±5% to 8±2% compared with 10±4% to 10±4% P=0.019), whole-body fat mass (35±7 kg to 33±8 kg compared with 31±9 kg to 32±9 kg, P=0.013), alanine (52±29 units/l to 42±20 units/l compared with 47±22 units/l to 51±24 units/l, P=0.016) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 36±18 units/l to 33±15 units/l compared with 31±8 units/l to 35±8 units/l, P=0.017) and increased early diastolic filling rate (244±84 ml/s to 302±107 ml/s compared with 255±82 ml/s to 251±82 ml/s, P=0.018). There were no between groups differences in glucose control. Modified HIIT reduces liver fat and improves body composition alongside benefits to cardiac function in patients with NAFLD and should be considered as part of the broader treatment regimen by clinical care teams. ISRCTN trial ID: ISRCTN78698481.
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K. kate.hallsworth@ncl.ac.uk.
Kate
K
Hallsworth
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K.
Christian
C
Thoma
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K.
Kieren G
KG
Hollingsworth
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K.
Sophie
S
Cassidy
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K.
Quentin M
QM
Anstee
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K.
Christopher P
CP
Day
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K.
Michael I
MI
Trenell
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001642:Bicycling; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003971:Diastole; D004739:England; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010991:Plethysmography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016276:Ventricular Function
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
cardiac function; exercise; magnetic resonance imaging; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease