Effects of sprint interval training on ectopic lipids and tissue-specific insulin sensitivity in men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Sargeant, J. A. et al. (2018) Effects of sprint interval training on ectopic lipids and tissue-specific insulin sensitivity in men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 118(4), pp. 817-828. (doi: 10.1007/s00421-018-3818-y) (PMID:29411128)

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the feasibility of sprint interval exercise training (SIT) for men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its effects on intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG), insulin sensitivity (hepatic and peripheral), visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (ScAT). Methods: Nine men with NAFLD (age 41±8 years; BMI 31.7±3.1 kg m−2; IHTG 15.6±8.3%) were assessed at: (1) baseline (2) after a control phase of no intervention (pre-training) and (3) after 6 weeks of SIT (4–6 maximal 30 s cycling intervals, three times per week). IHTG, VAT and ScAT were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy or imaging and insulin sensitivity was assessed via dual-step hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp with [6,6-D2] glucose tracer. Results: Participants adhered to SIT, completing≥96.7% of prescribed intervals. SIT increased peak oxygen uptake [V̇ O2 peak: + 13.6% (95% CI 8.8–18.2%)] and elicited a relative reduction in IHTG [− 12.4% (− 31.6 to 6.7%)] and VAT [− 16.9% (− 24.4 to − 9.4%); n=8], with no change in body weight or ScAT. Peripheral insulin sensitivity increased throughout the study (n=8; significant main effect of phase) but changes from pre- to post-training were highly variable (range − 18.5 to + 58.7%) and not significant (P=0.09), despite a moderate effect size (g* = 0.63). Hepatic insulin sensitivity was not influenced by SIT. Conclusions: SIT is feasible for men with NAFLD in a controlled laboratory setting and is able to reduce IHTG and VAT in the absence of weight loss.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dorling, Dr James
• Authors: Sargeant, J. A., Bawden, S., Aithal, G. P., Simpson, E. J., Macdonald, I. A., Turner, M. C., Cegielski, J., Smith, K., Dorling, J. L., Gowland, P. A., Nimmo, M. A., and King, J. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: European Journal of Applied Physiology
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1439-6319
• ISSN (Online): 1439-6327
• Published Online: 06 February 2018