Perceptions of Exercise and Its Challenges in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Survey-Based Study

Rate and Associated Factors of Fatigue in Chinese Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Purpose

Fatigue was a common symptom of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which seriously affected patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to detect fatigue rate and to evaluate factors associated with fatigue in NAFLD patients.

Patients and Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out from the Huadong Sanatorium between April 2022 and May 2023, and 133 NAFLD patients were included in this study. They completed Fatigue Severity Scale to assess fatigue, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to estimate psychological status, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality. Data were analyzed by independent samples t-tests, χ2 tests and logistic regression models.

Results

We found that 51.1% of NAFLD patients had fatigue. Exercise, anxiety, depression, subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, daytime dysfunction and overall sleep quality were related to fatigue among NAFLD patients. Moreover, logistic regression models indicated anxiety, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disorders as important predictors of fatigue.

Conclusion

This was the first time to explore demographic, clinical, psychological and sleeping correlated factors for fatigue in Chinese NAFLD patients. Our study showed that more than half of NAFLD patients had fatigue, and anxiety, habitual sleep efficiency and sleep disorders were significantly associated with fatigue in NAFLD. The findings indicated that it was very necessary to pay more attention to fatigue of NAFLD patients, especially those with negative emotions and poor sleep quality by favorable intervention to relieve fatigue symptoms, so as to improve quality of life.

Hepatic Klf10-Fh1 axis promotes exercise-mediated amelioration of NASH in mice

Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological strategy for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but the underlying mechanism needs further investigation. Kruppel-like factor 10 (Klf10) is a transcriptional factor that is expressed in multiple tissues including liver, whose role in NASH is not well defined. In our study, exercise induces hepatic Klf10 expression through the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. Hepatocyte-specific knockout of Klf10 (Klf10LKO) increases lipid accumulation, cell death, inflammation and fibrosis in NASH diet-fed mice and reduces the protective effects of treadmill exercise against NASH, while hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Klf10 (Klf10LTG) works in concert with exercise to reduce NASH in mice. Mechanistically, Klf10 promotes the expression of fumarate hydratase 1 (Fh1), thereby reducing fumarate accumulation in hepatocytes. This decreases the trimethyl (me3) levels of histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) on lipogenic genes promoters to attenuate lipogenesis, thus ameliorating free fatty acids (FFAs)-induced hepatocytes steatosis, apoptosis, insulin resistance and blunting dysfunctional hepatocytes-mediated activation of macrophages and hepatic stellate cells. Therefore, by regulating the Fh1/fumarate/H3K4me3 pathway, Klf10 acts as a downstream effector of exercise to combat NASH.

Intermittent fasting regimens for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by excessive hepatic fat accumulation. Intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy with the ability to induce weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce hepatic steatosis. We aim to compare the efficacy of different IF regimens for MASLD management. A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating different IF regimens for MASLD. PubMed , EMBASE , WOS , SCOPUS and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched until 10 April 2023. Analysis was performed using R software with the meta and netmeta packages. Mean difference (MD) was used to pool continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023418467). Our meta-analysis included eight randomized controlled trials with a total of 635 participants. The 5 : 2 diet significantly improved liver stiffness (MD, -0.32; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.09; P  < 0.01). Time-restricted feeding significantly improved liver steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter score) (MD, -39.83; 95% CI, -64.78 to -14.87; P  < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in asparate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, basal metabolic index, blood pressure, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, fasting blood sugar, lean body mass or waist circumference across all IF regimens. However, alternate-day fasting showed positive results in anthropometric measures, including significant improvements in lean body mass, waist circumference, fat mass and weight reduction ( P  < 0.05). IF regimens showed various positive effects on clinical outcomes in MASLD patients; however, these effects were not consistent. Therefore, a patient-tailored IF regimen should be considered.

The prognostic role of diet quality in patients with MAFLD and physical activity: data from NHANES

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Dietary control and increased physical activity (PA) are recommended for patients with metabolic (dysfunction-) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, not all patients can sustain both exercise and a healthy diet. This study explored the interaction between dietary quality, PA levels, and mortality in MAFLD patients.

METHODS

The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and linked mortality data were used in this study. Diet quality was assessed with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). PA level was calculated by multiply self-reported exercise frequency and its Metabolic Equivalent A high-quality diet was associated. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to explore risk factors for mortality in MAFLD patients.

RESULTS

In total, 3709 participants with MAFLD were included in the final analysis. The median follow-up time was 26.2 (interquartile range 19.3-28.1) years and 1549 (41.8%) deaths were recorded over follow-up. Cox multivariate regression was used to adjust for potential confounders of mortality. The results showed both HEI score and PA level were inversely correlated with all-cause mortality (P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis stratified by PA level, higher diet quality decreased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality and cancer-related mortality in PA inactive of MAFLD patients (P < 0.05), but these correlations were not present in active PA groups.

CONCLUSION

Healthy diet and physical activity may have different impact as lifestyle interventions for MAFLD. A high-quality diet is associated less mortality in inactive individuals with MAFLD but not in those with active PA levels. Sedentary individuals require healthier diet.

Self-management behaviours in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional survey from China

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China has significantly increased due to changing lifestyles and rising obesity rates. Effective self-management behaviours are crucial for reversing NAFLD. This study aimed to assess the current self-management status and the influencing factors among the Chinese NAFLD population.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

This was a study conducted between 30 May 2022 and 30 May 2023 at a tertiary care hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 380 patients diagnosed with NAFLD were included in this study. NAFLD patients included in this study were diagnosed by FibroScan and had a controlled attenuation parameter ≥248 dB/m.

PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcomes were self-management, demographic characteristics and clinical features of patients with NAFLD. Self-management-related domains were assessed using the self-management questionnaire of NAFLD.

RESULTS

The study included 380 patients with an average age of 42.79±13.77 years, with 62.89% being male. The mean score on the self-management scale was 80.92±18.31, indicating a low level of self-management behaviours. Among the five dimensions of the self-management scale, lifestyle management received the highest score (10.68±2.53), while disease knowledge management received the lowest score (9.29±2.51). Furthermore, gender (β=0.118, p=0.009), education level (β=0.118, p=0.010), body mass index (BMI) (β=-0.141, p=0.002) and sleep quality (β=0.387, p<0.001) were found to influence the self-management behaviours of patients to some extent.

CONCLUSIONS

This cross-sectional survey in China revealed impaired self-management behaviours among adults with NAFLD. The study identified significant associations between self-management behaviours and gender, education level, BMI and sleep quality. Healthcare providers should focus on optimising the care of NAFLD patients to enhance their self-management behaviours.

Barriers to lifestyle modification in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a scoping review

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is common worldwide, and lifestyle modifications are key to its treatment. This study aimed to identify the barriers to lifestyle modifications in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and to organize the results using the Capability Opportunity Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model. Materials and Methods: The framework of Arksey and O' Malley was used in this scoping review. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library without language restrictions for reports published up to September 11, 2022, including peer-reviewed literature reporting barriers to lifestyle modifications in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Patient-reported barriers were analyzed inductively and organized into the components (capability, opportunity, and motivation) of the COM-B model. Results: The literature search yielded 583 articles, of which seven qualitative studies, four quantitative studies, and one mixed-methods study met the inclusion criteria. Lack of time, lack of information on the diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, negative perceptions of the prescribed exercise and diet, physical symptoms interfering with the behavior, presence of comorbidities, and lack of family cooperation were frequently reported as barriers. Conclusion: The results of this study may contribute to the development of appropriate care and education strategies to promote behavioral changes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Exercise in the Management of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in Adults: A Position Statement from Exercise and Sport Science Australia

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting 25% of people globally and up to 80% of people with obesity. MAFLD is characterised by fat accumulation in the liver (hepatic steatosis) with varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. MAFLD is strongly linked with cardiometabolic disease and lifestyle-related cancers, in addition to heightened liver-related morbidity and mortality. This position statement examines evidence for exercise in the management of MAFLD and describes the role of the exercise professional in the context of the multi-disciplinary care team. The purpose of these guidelines is to equip the exercise professional with a broad understanding of the pathophysiological underpinnings of MAFLD, how it is diagnosed and managed in clinical practice, and to provide evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for exercise therapy in MAFLD management. The majority of research evidence indicates that 150-240 min per week of at least moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can reduce hepatic steatosis by ~ 2-4% (absolute reduction), but as little as 135 min/week has been shown to be effective. While emerging evidence shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) approaches may provide comparable benefit on hepatic steatosis, there does not appear to be an intensity-dependent benefit, as long as the recommended exercise volume is achieved. This dose of exercise is likely to also reduce central adiposity, increase cardiorespiratory fitness and improve cardiometabolic health, irrespective of weight loss. Resistance training should be considered in addition to, and not instead of, aerobic exercise targets. The information in this statement is relevant and appropriate for people living with the condition historically termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), regardless of terminology.

Lifestyle and Quality of Life of Women Diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in the Context of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Interconnections between hypothyroidism and metabolic disturbances manifesting in the liver and body composition have not yet been comprehensively analyzed in the context of lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the selected lifestyle factors and quality of life in the context of the development of NAFL (non-alcoholic fatty liver) in women diagnosed with hypothyroidism. This study included 134 women categorized into three groups: with hypothyroidism and NAFL, with only hypothyroidism, and with only NAFL. We compared the groups concerning the KomPAN and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, body composition parameters, and the stage of liver steatosis. The individuals with NAFL most frequently consumed lard, fried dishes, processed meats, red meat, sweets, and sweetened beverages. The individuals with hypothyroidism without coexisting NAFL exhibited the highest satisfaction with health. The NAFL group had the highest average body fat percentage. Selected lifestyle aspects influenced the development of NAFL in women diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Women's overall quality of life did not vary depending on the coexisting medical conditions. Preventive programs should promote the following: the regular consumption of meals, the appropriate energy supply, physical activity, mental health support, and striving for proper body composition parameters.

High-intensity Interval Training for the Management of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Participant Experiences and Perspectives

Background and Aims

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a therapeutic option for people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the perspectives and experiences of HIIT for people with NASH are unknown, limiting translation of research. We explored the experiences and perspectives of both professionally supervised and self-directed HIIT in people with NASH and evaluated participant-reported knowledge, barriers, and enablers to commencing and sustaining HIIT.

Methods

Twelve participants with NASH underwent 12 weeks of supervised HIIT (3 days/week, 4×4 minutes at 85-95% maximal heart rate, interspersed with 3 minutes active recovery), followed by 12-weeks of self-directed (unsupervised) HIIT. One-on-one, semistructured participant interviews were conducted by exercise staff prior to HIIT and following both supervised and self-directed HIIT to explore prior knowledge, barriers, enablers, and outcomes at each stage. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed by two independent researchers.

Results

Four dominant themes were identified: (1) no awareness of/experience with HIIT and ambivalence about exercise capabilities; (2) multiple medical and social barriers to commencing and continuing HIIT; (3) exercise specialist support was a highly valued enabler, and (4) HIIT was enjoyed and provided holistic benefits.

Conclusions

People with NASH may lack knowledge of and confidence for HIIT, and experience multiple complex barriers to commencing and continuing HIIT. Exercise specialist support is a key enabler to sustained engagement. These factors need to be addressed in future clinical programs to augment the uptake and long-term sustainability of HIIT by people with NASH so they can experience the range of related benefits.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Translating Disease Mechanisms into Therapeutics Using Animal Models

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a range of pathologies arising from fat accumulation in the liver in the absence of excess alcohol use or other causes of liver disease. Its complications include cirrhosis and liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and eventual death. NAFLD is the most common cause of liver disease globally and is estimated to affect nearly one-third of individuals in the United States. Despite knowledge that the incidence and prevalence of NAFLD are increasing, the pathophysiology of the disease and its progression to cirrhosis remain insufficiently understood. The molecular pathogenesis of NAFLD involves insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Better insight into these molecular pathways would allow for therapies that target specific stages of NAFLD. Preclinical animal models have aided in defining these mechanisms and have served as platforms for screening and testing of potential therapeutic approaches. In this review, we will discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms thought to contribute to NAFLD, with a focus on the role of animal models in elucidating these mechanisms and in developing therapies.

Digital Therapeutics: Emerging New Therapy for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The increased prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide is particularly worrisome, as no medication has been approved to treat the disease. Lifestyle modifications aimed at promoting weight loss and weight maintenance remain the current first-line treatment for NAFLD. However, due to the lack of standard and scientific guidance and out-of-hospital supervision, long-term outcomes of lifestyle interventions for patients with NAFLD are often unsatisfactory. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated this dilemma. At the same time, digital therapeutics (DTx) are expected to be a new method for the convenient management and treatment of patients with NAFLD and are attracting a great deal of attention. DTx, which provide evidence-based medicine through software programs for remote intervention in preventing, treating, or managing diseases, overcome the drawbacks of traditional treatment. The efficacy of the approach has already been demonstrated for some chronic diseases, but DTx have not been fully developed for NAFLD. This study reviews the concepts, clinical value, and practical applications related to DTx, with an emphasis on recommendations based on unmet needs for NAFLD. A better understanding of the current state will help clinicians and researchers develop high-quality, standardized, and efficient DTx products, with the aim of optimizing the prognosis of patients with NAFLD.

A qualitative patient interview study to understand the experience of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

NASH is a potentially progressive form of NAFLD characterized by hepatocyte injury and liver inflammation which can cause fibrosis. Currently, there are limited data on the patient experience of NASH. Our aim was to use both literature review and patient interviews to understand the signs/symptoms and life impacts of NASH fibrosis stages F1-F4 that are important to patients, as well as begin to investigate the applicability of an instrument (ie, questionnaire) that may be used to capture patients' experiences. The literature review identified concepts (signs/symptoms and impacts) related to NASH fibrosis stages F1-F4 and the NASH-specific patient-reported outcome instrument (NASH-CHECK) for reporting patient experience of NASH. Interviews with 22 patients from Canada and the USA with NASH fibrosis stages F1-F4 revealed 27 signs/symptoms and 32 impacts that they felt were important, including fatigue, pain in the abdomen, worry, and frustration. Three concepts reported during patient interviews were not identified in the literature review. No concepts appeared to be exclusive to a specific fibrosis stage or presence/absence of obesity and no linear trends were identified between fibrosis stage or presence/absence of obesity and level of disturbance reported for concepts. The patient interviews supported the concepts included in the NASH-CHECK overall, demonstrating that it could be used to report the patient experience of NASH fibrosis stages F1-F4. Interviews with patients with NASH fibrosis stages F1-F4 revealed patients can self-report and elaborate on signs/symptoms and impacts related to the disease regardless of fibrosis stage. The NASH-CHECK was identified as a suitable instrument that could be used by patients with fibrosis stages F1-F4.

High-Intensity Interval Training is Safe, Feasible and Efficacious in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) involves bursts of high-intensity exercise interspersed with lower-intensity exercise recovery. HIIT may benefit cardiometabolic health in people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

AIMS

We aimed to examine the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of 12-weeks of supervised HIIT compared with a sham-exercise control (CON) for improving aerobic fitness and peripheral insulin sensitivity in biopsy-proven NASH.

METHODS

Participants based in the community [(n = 14, 56 ± 10 years, BMI 39.2 ± 6.7 kg/m², 64% male), NAFLD Activity Score 5 (range 3-7)] were randomized to 12-weeks of supervised HIIT (n = 8, 4 × 4 min at 85-95% maximal heart rate, interspersed with 3 min active recovery; 3 days/week) or CON (n = 6, stretching; 3 days/week). Safety (adverse events) and feasibility determined as ≥ 70% program completion and ≥ 70% global adherence (including session attendance, interval intensity adherence, and duration adherence) were assessed. Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O₂peak), exercise capacity (time-on-test) and peripheral insulin sensitivity (euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp) were assessed. Data were analysed using ANCOVA with baseline value as the covariate.

RESULTS

There were no HIIT-related adverse events and HIIT was globally feasible [program completion 75%, global adherence 100% (including adherence to session 95.4 ± 7.3%, interval intensity 95.3 ± 6.0% and duration 96.8 ± 2.4%)]. A large between-group effect was observed for exercise capacity [mean difference 134.2 s (95% CI 19.8, 248.6 s), ƞ² 0.44, p = 0.03], improving in HIIT (106.2 ± 97.5 s) but not CON (- 33.4 ± 43.3 s), and for peripheral insulin sensitivity [mean difference 3.4 mg/KgLegFFM/min (95% CI 0.9,6.8 mg/KgLegFFM/min), ƞ² 0.32, p = 0.046], improving in HIIT (1.0 ± 0.8 mg/KgLegFFM/min) but not CON (- 3.1 ± 1.2 mg/KgLegFFM/min).

CONCLUSIONS

HIIT is safe, feasible and efficacious for improving exercise capacity and peripheral insulin sensitivity in people with NASH.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (anzctr.org.au) identifier ACTRN12616000305426 (09/03/2016).