Health-Related Fitness and Physical Activity Participation Among Individuals with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: 2400: Board #79 June 1 3:30 PM -5:00 PM

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been proposed to be the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. NAFLD encompasses a spectrum of disease from simple fat (steatosis) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; fat with necroinflammation). It is unknown whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body composition, muscle strength or physical activity participation (PA) differs in NAFLD between those with or without NASH.

PURPOSE: To define and compare the CRF, muscle strength, body composition, and PA of patients with NAFLD, with NASH (n= 13) or without NASH (n=10).

METHODS: Twenty-three non-diabetic patients with biopsy confirmed NAFLD (10F/13M; age = 47.0 ± 13.8 yr) completed symptom-limited exercise testing with measurement of peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), isokinetic quadriceps muscle testing (peak torque), and body composition (%fat) assessment. The Historical Physical Activity questionnaire was used to assess PA. Subject demographic and laboratory data (biochemical and histological) were also obtained. Histological findings from a liver biopsy were used to distinguish those with and without NASH. Independent t-tests were used to determine the differences between groups with p-values <0.05 indicating statistical significance.

RESULTS: Although there were no statistical differences detected between the groups in liver enzymes or lipid profiles, all were abnormal. VO2peak values were similar in the two groups (non NASH 32.9 ± 8.6, NASH 27.6 ± 8.7m l/kg/min; N.S.) and averaged 95% of sedentary age-predicted values. No statistical difference was found in peak torque or percent body fat, although both groups were obese (non NASH 33.3 ± 8.7% vs NASH 39.2 ±7.7%). Both groups reported similar levels of low to moderate intensity leisure-time physical activity over the past 10 years (non NASH 6.1 ± 5.0, NASH 5.7 ± 5.9 hours/week).

CONCLUSION: Patients with NAFLD (with and without NASH) have similar sub-optimal health-related fitness. Lifestyle interventions to improve health-related fitness may be beneficial in reducing the associated risk factors and perhaps in preventing progression of NAFLD.