Response of lipids, estradiol level, and liver size to diet and high-intensity interval training in postmenopausal women with fatty liver

Abstract

Menopause is associated with changes in body composition and distribution, as well as reduced estradiol level that affect the development and progression of fatty liver diseases. To determine anthropometric measurements, lipid and estradiol levels, and size of liver in response to diet and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in postmenopausal women with hepatic steatosis. A single blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on a total of 56 postmenopausal women with hepatic steatosis. Participants were randomized to one of two groups. Diet group consisting of 30 patients received hypocaloric diet for 12 weeks, while diet–HIIT group consisting of 26 patients received hypocaloric diet and HIIT three times/week for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements including weight, BMI, and waist girth were taken. Blood samples were collected to determine the levels of lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as estradiol level. Also, ultrasonography was used to measure the liver size. All outcomes were measured at starting and after 12 weeks of the treatment course. The diet–HIIT group showed a greater decrease in the waist girth (0.0001), TG (P=0.002), and liver size (P=0.005), as well as a greater increase in HDL-C (P=0.03) and estradiol level (P<0.0001) than the diet group. Linear regression analysis showed that the mean change in estradiol level accounted for 52% of variability in the liver size. Hypocaloric diet–HIIT intervention is a more effective treatment for improving waist girth, HDL-C, TGs, estradiol level, and liver size than hypocaloric diet alone. The mean change of estradiol level is a significant predictor for improving liver size in obese postmenopausal women with hepatic steatosis.