[Frontiers in Bioscience E4, 1015-1023, January 1, 2012]

Influence of lifestyle habits, nutritional status and insulin resistance in NAFLD

Marcella Malavolti1, Nino Carlo Battistini1, Lucia Miglioli21, Ilaria Bagni,3, Luca Borelli2, Mariano Marino2, Federica Scaglioni2, Stefano Bellentani2

1Sport Centre, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, 2Liver Centre, Azienda USL di Modena, Gastroenterologia Ospedale, Ramazzini, Carpi, Modena, Italy, 3Integrated Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Legal Medicine, Modena and Reggio Emilia University, Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Materials and methods
3.1. Subjects
3.2. Laboratory tests
3.3. Anthropometry
3.4. Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) measurement
3.5. Dietary assessment
3.6. Physical activity evaluation
3.7. Power Doppler measurements
3.8. Statistical analysis
4. Results
4.1. Characteristics of subjects with and without NAFLD
4.2. Validation of REE and PA measurements
4.3. Univariate and multivariate analysis of predictors for NAFLD
5. Discussion
6. Acknowledgeemnts
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance (IR). The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between IR, anthropometry, lifestyle habits, resting energy expenditure (REE) and degree of fatty liver at ultrasound in 48 overweight patients with NAFLD as compared to 24 controls without fatty liver, matched for age. Nutritional status, alcohol intake and physical activity were assessed by skinfold thickness measurements, a 7-day diary, and SenseWear armband (SWA). REE was assessed by both SWA (REE-SWA) and a Vmax metabolic cart (REE-Vmax). Fatty liver was measured by US and the Doppler Power Index was calculated. IR was assessed using the HOMA index. There was significant correlation between waist circumference, HOMA, Doppler power index and fatty liver grade at US. Multivariate analysis showed that alteration of waist circumference, Doppler power index, and HOMA were the major significant predictors of fatty liver. Our data demonstrated a significant association between NAFLD and central adiposity and IR.