Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Women: Effects of Lifestyle Modifications. 2022

Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
"Clinica Medica" Institute, Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Vestini Road, 66100 Chieti, Italy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most widespread liver disease, characterized by fatty acids liver accumulation and subsequent fibrosis. NAFLD prevalence ranges from 80% to 90% in obese subjects and is estimated to be around 50% in patients with metabolic syndrome. In this clinical scenario, diet and lifestyle modifications can play an important role. There are several imaging techniques that can accurately diagnose fatty liver. Recently, ultrasound has acquired a leading role in the diagnosis and follow-up of fatty liver disease. Furthermore, elastosonography represents a valid alternative to liver biopsy. Shear wave elastosonography evaluates the elastic and mechanical properties of liver tissue. The aim is to evaluate the effects of lifestyle and nutritional interventions and a loss of body weight during hepatic steatosis through ultrasonographic and elastosonographic techniques. Thirty-two female subjects with metabolic syndrome were subjected to clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory assessments, as well as abdominal ultrasonographic/elastosonographic measurements taken from enrollment time (T0) and after 3 months (T1) of lifestyle modifications. After 3 months of lifestyle changes, significant weight loss was observed, with a marked improvement in all adiposity indices. The laboratory parameters at T1 showed significant decreases in total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, basal blood glucose, 120 min glycaemia, basal insulin and HOMA Index (p < 0.001). A similar improvement was observed at T1 for steatosis degree (p < 0.01) and elastosonographic measurements (Kpa p < 0.001). The linear regression analysis of the baseline conditions documented that the size of the liver positively correlated with body weight, BMI, neck and waist circumferences, waist to height ratio (WhtR), insulin and HOMA Index, fat mass and visceral fat, and steatosis grade. After 3 months, the liver size showed improvement with positive correlations to all previous variables. Hepatic stiffness (Kpa) positively correlated with neck circumference, visceral fat, and ALT, with basal insulin, gamma-GT, and AST, and with waist circumference, WhtR, and fat mass. The degree of steatosis was positively correlated with more variables and with greater statistical significance at T1 with respect to T0. Particularly, the positive correlations between the degree of steatosis and neck circumference (p < 0.001), HOMA Index, and triglycerides (p < 0.001) appeared to be very significant. NAFLD management in women with metabolic syndrome should be focused on lifestyle modifications. Moreover, liver involvement and improvement at follow-up could be evaluated in a non-invasive manner through ultrasonographic and elastosonographic techniques.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
January 2018, Current vascular pharmacology,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
January 2009, Annals of hepatology,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
January 2009, Hippokratia,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
January 2018, The Korean journal of internal medicine,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
February 2020, Revista espanola de enfermedades digestivas,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
January 2007, Current pharmaceutical design,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
February 2021, Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
April 2016, International journal of molecular sciences,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
April 2007, Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology,
Maria Teresa Guagnano, and Damiano D'Ardes, and Rossi Ilaria, and Francesca Santilli, and Cosima Schiavone, and Marco Bucci, and Francesco Cipollone
August 2014, Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!