Physical activity intensity and markers of inflammation in those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Aims To investigate associations between objectively measured light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity on plasma homocysteine and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in individuals with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis using data from 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey including a total of 983 individuals with NAFLD. Physical activity was assessed over 7 days with accelerometers. Participants were split into tertiles based on average daily minutes of LPA or MVPA and CRP and homocysteine were assessed across tertiles. RESULTS: Adjusted plasma homocysteine and CRP were not different between groups regarding levels of LPA (Homocysteine: 1st tertile – 10.4 ± 0.7 µmol/L; 2nd tertile – 9.6 ± 0.4 µmol/L; 3rd tertile – 9.6 ± 0.4 µmol/L; p = 0.28; CRP: 1st tertile – 0.79 ± 0.12 mg/dL; 2nd tertile – 0.73 ± 0.09 mg/dL; 3rd tertile – 0.73 ± 0.09 mg/dL; p = 0.72). Adjusted CRP was significantly (p = 0.02) different across MVPA tertiles (1st: 0.87 ± 0.13 mg/dL; 2nd: 0.75 ± 0.10 mg/dL; 3rd:0.65 ± 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: LPA does not appear to be effective at improving homocysteine or CRP levels in individuals with NAFLD. However, MVPA may be an effective therapy for decreasing CRP in NAFLD patients.