Exercise as a therapeutic tool to prevent mitochondrial degeneration in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

goncalves, io (Author) Other; oliveira, pj (Author) Other; ascensao, a (Author) FADEUP; magalhaes, j (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: European Journal of Clinical Investigation

Vol. 43

Pages: 1184-1194

ISSN: 0014-2972

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

Scopus - 19 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-6C8

DOI: 10.1111/eci.12146

Abstract (EN): Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, encompassing hepatic steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis and cirrhosis, is a significant health problem associated with modern lifestyle, based on caloric overconsumption and physical inactivity. Although the mechanisms associated with progression from the benign' steatosis to NASH are still elusive, mitochondrial dysfunction seems to play an important role in this degenerative process. Degeneration of mitochondrial function during NASH has been associated with impaired -oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation and increased reactive oxygen species production, contributing to hepatocyte death and inflammatory response. Despite the fact that several therapeutic approaches can be used in the context of NASH, including insulin-sensitizing agents, anti-obesity drugs, lipid-lowering drugs or mitochondrial-targeted drugs, dietary and physical activity are still the most effective strategies. In fact, active lifestyles decrease insulin resistance and body weight and result in decreased histological signs of liver injury. In fatty liver, physical activity prevents the disease progression through mitochondrial adaptations, namely by increasing cytochrome c content, enzyme activities and fatty acid oxidation, which are lost after some days of physical inactivity. However, less is known about the effect of physical activity on NASH-associated mitochondrial dysfunction. After a brief characterization of NASH and its association with liver mitochondrial (dys)function, the present review addresses the impact of physical (in)activity on NASH and, particularly, the possible contribution of active lifestyles to the modulation of liver mitochondrial dysfunction.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11