Effect of nutritional counselling on hepatic, muscle and adipose tissue fat content and distribution in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

E. Louise Thomas*, Audrey E. Brynes, Gavin Hamilton, Nayna Patel, Adam Spong, Robert D. Goldin, Gary Frost, Jimmy D. Bell, Simon D. Taylor-Robinson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

98 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of the current UK clinical practice in reducing hepatic fat (IHCL). Methods: Whole body MRI and 1H MRS were obtained, before and after 6 mo nutritional counselling, from liver, soleus and tibialis muscles in 10 subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Results: A 500 Kcal-restricted diet resulted in an average weight loss of 4% (-3.4 kg,) accompanied by significant reductions in most adipose tissue (AT) depots, including subcutaneous (-9.9%), abdominal subcutaneous (-10.2%) and intra-abdominal-AT (-11.4%). Intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) were significantly reduced in the tibialis muscle (-28.2%). Decreases in both IHCL (-39.9%) and soleus IMCL (-12.2%) content were also observed, although these were not significant. Several individuals showed dramatic decreases in IHCL, while others paradoxically showed increases in IHCL content. Changes in body composition were accompanied by improvements in certain liver function tests: serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Significant correlations were found between decreases in IHCL and reductions in both intra-abdominal and abdominal subcutaneous AT. Improvements in liver function tests were associated with reductions in intra-abdominal AT, but not with changes in IHCL. Conclusion: This study shows that even a very modest reduction in body weight achieved through lifestyle modification can result in changes in body fat depots and improvements in LFTs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5813-5819
Number of pages7
JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume12
Issue number36
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Sept 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Intra-abdominal adipose tissue
  • Intrahepatic fat
  • Intramyocellular lipids
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Weight loss

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