Physical Activity and Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet: Main and Modification Effects on NAFLD Score. Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial
Isabella Franco,
Antonella Bianco,
Antonella Mirizzi,
Angelo Campanella,
Caterina Bonfiglio,
Paolo Sorino,
Maria Notarnicola,
Valeria Tutino,
Raffaele Cozzolongo,
Vito Giannuzzi,
Laura R. Aballay,
Claudia Buongiorno,
Irene Bruno,
Alberto R. Osella
Affiliations
Isabella Franco
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Antonella Bianco
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Antonella Mirizzi
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Angelo Campanella
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Caterina Bonfiglio
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Paolo Sorino
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Maria Notarnicola
Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Valeria Tutino
Laboratory of Nutritional Biochemistry, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Raffaele Cozzolongo
Department of Gastroenterology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Vito Giannuzzi
Department of Gastroenterology, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Laura R. Aballay
Human Nutrition Research Center (CenINH), School of Nutrition, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enrique Barros Pabellón Biología Celular, Ciudad Universitaria, Cordoba X5000, Argentina
Claudia Buongiorno
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Irene Bruno
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Alberto R. Osella
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte (Ba), Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy
Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, and lifestyle modification is the current standard treatment. The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of two different physical activity (PA) programs, a Low Glycemic Index Mediterranean Diet (LGIMD), and their combined effect on the NAFLD score as measured by FibroScan®. Methods: Moderate or severe NAFLD subjects (n = 144) were randomly assigned to six intervention arms during three months. Interventions arms were a control diet, LGIMD, aerobic activity program (PA1), combined activity program (PA2), and LGIMD plus PA1 or LGIMD plus PA2. The data were compared at baseline, at 45 days, and at 90 days. Analysis of variance was performed under the intention-to-treat principle. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the NAFLD score after 45 days of treatment in every working arm except for Arm 1 (control diet). After 90 days, the best results were shown by the intervention arms in which LGIMD was associated with PA: LGIMD plus PA1 (−61.56 95% CI −89.61, −33.50) and LGIMD plus PA2 (−38.15 95% CI −64.53, −11.77). Conclusion: All treatments were effective to reduce NAFLD scores, but LGIMD plus PA1 was the most efficient.