Exercise training reverses endothelial dysfunction in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hepatology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Endothelial dysfunction, an early marker of atherosclerosis, is prevalent in NAFLD.
• Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation is associated with metabolic dysfunction in NAFLD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between liver fat, VAT, and endothelial dysfunction in obese NAFLD patients.
• To evaluate the impact of supervised exercise training on endothelial function in NAFLD.

Main Methods:

• Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) assessed brachial artery endothelial function in 34 obese NAFLD patients and 20 controls.
• Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy quantified abdominal and liver fat.
• NAFLD patients underwent 16 weeks of supervised moderate-intensity exercise or conventional care.

Main Results:

• NAFLD patients exhibited higher liver fat and VAT, with impaired FMD compared to controls.
• Impaired FMD in NAFLD was inversely correlated with VAT but not fully explained by it.
• Exercise training improved cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇o2 peak) and FMD in NAFLD patients.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial dysfunction in NAFLD is not solely attributable to excess visceral fat.
• Supervised exercise training effectively reverses endothelial dysfunction in NAFLD.
• Exercise interventions hold promise for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in NAFLD patients.