Background:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has different prevalence rates in various parts of the world and is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease that could progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.Objectives:The current study aimed to investigate the effect of Aerobic Training (AT) and resistance training (RT) on hepatic fat content and liver enzyme levels in Iranian men.Patients and Methods:In a randomized clinical trial study, 30 men with clinically defined NAFLD were allocated into three groups (aerobic, resistance and control). An aerobic group program consisted of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise at 60% - 75% maximum heart rate intensity, a resistance group performed seven resistance exercises at intensity of 50% - 70% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM ) and the control group had no exercise training program during the study. Before and after training, anthropometry, insulin sensitivity, liver enzymes and hepatic fat were elevated.Results:After training, hepatic fat content was markedly reduced, to a similar extent, in both the aerobic and resistance exercise training groups (P ≤ 0.05). In the two exercise training groups, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase serum levels were significantly decreased compared to the control group (P = 0.002) and (P = 0.02), respectively. Moreover, body fat (%), fat mass (kg), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMI-IR) were all improved in the AT and RT. These changes in the AT group were independent of weight loss.Conclusions:This study demonstrated that RT and AT are equally effective in reducing hepatic fat content and liver enzyme levels among patients with NAFLD. However, aerobic exercise specifically improves NAFLD independent of any change in body weight.

Background:Muscle weakness and fatigue contribute to the reduction of daily activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Therapeutic strategies to promote improvements in muscle strength and endurance are limited in individuals with MS. Some evidence showed that exercise may improve and affect different aspects of the disease including quality of life, fatigue, motor and cognitive functions.Objectives:To investigate the value of resistance training of moderate to high intensity on motor function, muscle strength, balance and perceived disability in male patients with multiple sclerosis compared to a control group.Patients and Methods:20 male patients with MS (mean ± SD, age: 34.05 ± 7.8 y; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): 2.94 ± 1.5) were recruited and randomized either to the exercise (E) or control group (C). Group E participated in a three-time weekly individualized progressive resistance-training program (both upper and lower extremities) for eight weeks, while group C was advised not to change their physical activity habits. All initial measures (including EDSS, balance, muscle strength, and functional mobility) were re-evaluated at the end of the program.Results:Two patients of group E left the program. The other eight subjects completed the program with no MS-related exacerbations/complications. There was a significant change in 2 of 3 aspects of ambulatory function [Three minutes step test (P = 0.001), Timed Up and Go test (P = 0.009)], muscle strength (P = 0.000), and EDSS (P = 0.014). Comparing the two groups, we did not observe any significant change in “Balance” (P = 0.407).Conclusions:The resistance training of moderate to high intensity was well-tolerated in MS patients and may be an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, functional ability and EDSS-based disease severity.

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ABSTRACT:The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of aerobic training with and without Pistacia-atlantica (Bane) extraction as a plant rich in fatty acids, on rat tissues nesfatin-1/nucleobindin-2 and ghrelin gene expression and also on plasma lipid and lipoproteins profiles.Twenty healthy and intact Wistar rats were obtain and randomly were assigned into saline-control (SC), saline-training (ST), Bane-control (BC), and Bane-training (BT) groups. Training groups ran on a motor driven treadmill (at intensity 25m/min, 5days/wk.) for 8 weeks. Rats were orally received saline or bene solution (100 mg/kg and 7.5ul/g of body weight). Blood was collected to determine biochemical variables and liver and visceral fat were also obtain for Nesfatin-1/nucleobindin-2 and ghrelin mRNA expressions by using a Real-time PCR technique.A higher and significant nesfatin-1 mRNA expressions in liver and visceral fat and liver estradiol were observed in trained groups. However, the level of ghrelin expression was lower in trained groups when compared to control rats. In general, lower tissues nesfatin-1mRNA expression and lower plasma and higher estradiol HDL-C were observed in bane-treated rats. A negative and positive correlation between liver estradiol and liver ghrelin expression, plasma estradiol, HDL-C and visceral fat nesfatin-1 expression were found respectively. The results of present study indicate that exercise combined with bane-treatment induced considerable changes on liver and visceral fat nesfatin-1 and ghrelin expression which was accompanied with a significant change in plasma HDL-C as a cardiovascular risk factor.

BackgroundProtein-energy malnutrition is a common problem in hemodialysis patients and has different outcomes such as reduced quality of life, longer hospitalization time, lower dialysis adequacy, and higher mortality rate. Investigation of dialysis adequacy is an important method for assessing hemodialysis patients, and improving the dialysis adequacy is an important healthcare team goal.ObjectivesThe present study aims to investigate and compare the effects of BCAA and ISO-WHEY oral nutritional supplements on dialysis adequacy.MethodsIn a clinical trial study, 66 hemodialysis patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n = 22), Group B (n = 22), and Group C or the control group (n = 22). In Groups A and B, as prescribed and controlled by nutritionists and nephrologists, respectively, ISO-WHEY and BCAA protein powder were used for 2 months on a daily basis. For all groups, before intervention and 1 and 2 months after intervention, the dialysis adequacy was measured using URR and Kt/V. Finally, the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Base 21.0 software.ResultsOut of 66 patients, 61 (19 in Group A, 20 in Group B, and 22 in Group C) completed the study period, and before intervention, all groups were equal in terms of quality and quantity variables (P > 0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference between the three groups with regard to the variables of dialysis adequacy based on Kt/V and URR to independent-t test and repeated measures ANOVA (P < 0.05).ConclusionsResults show that the intake of oral nutritional supplements leads to an improvement in the dialysis adequacy of hemodialysis patients. Therefore, the use of nutritional supplements along with patients' training and regular consultation will be helpful in improving the nutritional status, dialysis adequacy, and eventually the quality of life.