The Impact of Different Exercise Modes on Bile Acid Levels and Liver Function in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Xuzhou Medical University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD

Treatments: Behavioral: Resistance training (RT); Behavioral: Aerobic training (AT); Behavioral: Combined aerobic and resistance training (AT + RT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06338449

XZMU-2022-ZK068

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this clinical trial is to investigate which exercise regimen is more effective in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a young population. The primary questions it aims to answer are:

Does aerobic training, resistance training, or a combination of both help improve liver function and glycemic and lipid parameters in NAFLD patients? Which of these three exercise regimens is more effective in improving the aforementioned parameters? Is the improvement in liver function related to bile acid metabolism?

Participants will:

Engage in physical exercise 4-5 times per week for two consecutive months, following a predefined exercise regimen.

Have blood samples collected to test for glucose, lipids, liver function, and other parameters before starting the exercise program and after two months of completing the regimen.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 23 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Body fat percentage >20% or BMI >24
• The diagnostic result of abdominal ultrasonography is fatty liver
• No regular exercise under guidance in the past 3 months
• No medication taken in the last month
• No binge eating or heavy drinking in the past two weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Long history of alcohol consumption, equivalent to more than 30g/day of ethanol
• Viral hepatitis
• History of autoimmune or genetic diseases
• History of drug-induced liver disease
• History of total parenteral nutrition
• History of cardiovascular, respiratory, or other diseases that necessitate avoidance of intense physical activity.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 3 patient groups

Aerobic training (AT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Aerobic exercise can include activities like swimming, running, or cycling. Scientifically, aerobic exercise is defined as any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature. It improves the efficiency of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and circulatory systems by delivering oxygen more efficiently to the body. According to reports, aerobic exercise can help reduce fat and improve liver function.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Aerobic training (AT)

Resistance training (RT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Resistance exercise is a form of physical activity that is designed to improve muscular fitness by exercising a muscle or a muscle group against external resistance. This includes traditional weightlifting, using weight machines, resistance band exercises, bodyweight exercises, and other activities designed to build muscle strength, endurance, and size. The key principle is the muscle's ability to contract against resistance: using weights, resistance bands, or one's own body weight, the muscle is challenged, leading to muscular adaptation and growth, enhancing strength and endurance. According to reports, resistance exercise can also help improve liver function.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Resistance training (RT)

Combined aerobic and resistance training (AT + RT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

The combination of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Combined aerobic and resistance training (AT + RT)