Efectos del Ejercicio Aeróbico en la Enfermedad de Hígado Graso no Alcoholico (EHGNA) en Adultos Mayores de 40 Años: Revisión Narrativa

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of obesity has made non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) the most common chronic liver disease. It is diagnosed by liver biopsy where the hepatocyte (or liver cell) shows a high fat content. As a consequence, NASH and especially its inflammatory form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the fastest increasing etiology of end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Physical inactivity, eating habits and sedentarism are related to the severity of fatty liver disease, independent of body weight, supporting the hypothesis that increased physical activity may improve fatty liver disease. This review summarizes the evidence of the effects of physical exercise on NAFLD and NASH. Several clinical trials have shown that aerobic exercise reduces hepatic fat content. From the basic clinical and scientific studies, it is evident that exercise affects fatty liver disease through several pathways. Improving peripheral insulin resistance, reduces excessive delivery of free fatty acids and glucose for free fatty acid synthesis to the liver. In the liver, physical exercise stimulates lipolysis, decreases fatty acid uptake, prevents mitochondrial and hepatocellular damage through reduced release of damage-associated molecular patterns. In summary, physical exercise is a proven therapeutic way to improve liver recovery from fatty liver disease.