THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF RESTRICTED DIET AND EXERCISE IN OBESE PATIENTSWITH FATTY LIVER

Background/Aims: The incidence of obese patients with fatty liver has recently increased in Japan as well as in the United States and Europe . Fatty liver may occasionally progress to liver cirrhosis. In this st udy we have compared the effects of restricted diet and exercise versu s no treatment in obese patients with fatty liver. Methods: Twenty-fiv e obese patients with fatty liver were divided into treated and contro l groups. Fifteen obese patients followed a program of restricted diet (ideal weight.25 Cal.kg(-1)) and exercise (walking or jogging) for a trial period of 3 months. No changes in diet or lifestyle were made by the other 10 patients during the same trial period. Blood biochemical tests and liver histology mere compared in all patients before and af ter the trial. Results: In the treated group, weight, blood biochemica l data such as aminotransferase, albumin, cholinesterase, total choles terol and fasting blood glucose values, and steatosis were significant ly decreased after the trial. In the control group, there were no sign ificant differences in the clinical and histological findings before a nd after the trial. Conclusions: These results indicate that restricte d diet and exercise therapy, such as walking and jogging, are useful m eans of improving blood biochemical data and histological findings in liver tissues related to fatty liver.