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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018 Sep 13;10(9):1299.
doi: 10.3390/nu10091299.

Aerobic Physical Activity and a Low Glycemic Diet Reduce the AA/EPA Ratio in Red Blood Cell Membranes of Patients with NAFLD

Valeria Tutino  1 , Valentina De Nunzio  2 , Maria Gabriella Caruso  3 , Caterina Bonfiglio  4 , Isabella Franco  5 , Antonella Mirizzi  6 , Giampiero De Leonardis  7 , Raffaele Cozzolongo  8 , Vito Giannuzzi  9 , Gianluigi Giannelli  10 , Maria Notarnicola  11 , Alberto R Osella  12
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Aerobic Physical Activity and a Low Glycemic Diet Reduce the AA/EPA Ratio in Red Blood Cell Membranes of Patients with NAFLD

Valeria Tutino et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), through the eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid (AA), are able to modulate the inflammatory processes, whereas omega-3 PUFAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), exert anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. An unbalanced AA/EPA ratio in favor of AA leads to the development of different metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different diets, alone and in combination with two physical activity programs, on the AA/EPA ratio value in erythrocyte membranes of patients with NAFLD. One hundred forty-two subjects with NAFLD were enrolled in the study and randomized into six treatment groups. AA/EPA ratio was significantly reduced after 90 days of treatment with only a program of aerobic activity. However, it appears that the combination of physical activity and a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD) was more efficacious in reducing AA/EPA levels, at 45 days of treatment, even if this effect was not maintained over time. The combined effect of diet and physical activity reduced the AA/EPA ratio value improving the score of steatosis. Dietary intake of omega-3 PUFAs, in association with a healthy lifestyle, may be used in the prevention protocols for many chronic diseases, including NAFLD.

Keywords: erythrocyte membrane; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; physical activity; polyunsaturated fatty acids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The founding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of study design.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Predictive margins of time versus groups with 95% Confidence Intervals. Estimated logarithmic value of the AA/EPA ratio in the 6 groups at day 0 (baseline), day 45 (intermediate point) and day 90 (end point). Group 1 received only a Control Diet (CD) based on CREA-AN guidelines; Group 2 received only a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD); Group 3 was subjected to Physical Activity 1 (PA1) based on the aerobic activity program without following a specific diet; Group 4 was subjected to Physical Activity 2 (PA2) based on the combination of aerobic activity and resistance training without following a specific diet; Group 5 followed a LGIMD combined with a PA1 program; Group 6 followed a LGIMD combined with a PA2 program.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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