J Korean Med Sci.  1995 Dec;10(6):414-421. 10.3346/jkms.1995.10.6.414.

Effect of weight control on hepatic abnormalities in obese patients with fatty liver

• Park HS
• Kim MW
• Shin ES

• KMID: 927172
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.1995.10.6.414

Abstract

This study was aimed at finding out whether weight reduction alone can improve liver function in obese patients with fatty liver. We did a longitudinal, clinical intervention study on weight reduction by behavior modification, diet and exercise. The study subjects were 25 patients referred to an obesity clinic in whom obesity is the sole factor causing abnormal liver function and fatty liver. Patients were weighed about one year later. We compared the degree of improvement in hepatic function between Group I that showed weight reduction and Group II that showed no-weight reduction. Group I (13) showed dramatic improvement in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, nearly all down to within normal levels. AST showed statistically significant improvement from 74 +/- 36 IU/l to 25 +/- 7 IU/l. ALT also showed statistically significant improvement from 109 +/- 67 IU/l to 30 +/- 14 IU/l. Group II (12) showed higher AST and ALT levels on follow-up visit than initial visit. AST showed statistically significant elevation from 43 +/- 11 IU/l to 59 +/- 23 IU/l. ALT also showed statistically significant elevation from 64 +/- 21 IU/l to 97 +/- 33 IU/l. If we can rule the other causes of hepatic abnormalities in obese patients with fatty liver, we suggest these patients would benefit by weight reduction.

Keyword

Hepatic abnormality; Fatty liver; Weight control

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Alanine Transaminase/metabolism
Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism
Body Weight/physiology
Comparative Study
*Diet, Reducing
Fatty Liver/complications/*diet therapy/physiopathology
Female
Human
Liver/enzymology/*physiopathology
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Age
Obesity/complications/*diet therapy/physiopathology