Regular aerobic exercise improves sexual function assessed by the Aging Males' Symptoms questionnaire in adult men.

The leading cause of aging-induced male-specific disorders such as physical, mental and/or sexual symptoms is testosterone deficiency. Although aerobic exercise is suggested to improves circulating testosterone levels, physical fitness, depressive symptoms, and sexual function, the effect of regular aerobic exercise on aging-induced disorders has not yet been clarified. Here we performed cross-sectional and interventional studies to identify the effect of aerobic exercise on aging-induced disorders assessed by the Aging Males' Symptoms questionnaire (AMS). In study 1, the relationship between aerobic exercise capacity (i.e. peak oxygen consumption) and AMS scores were cross-sectionally examined in 169 adult men. In study 2, the effect of a 12-week regular aerobic exercise on AMS scores was longitudinally investigated in 18 adult men. In study 1, the AMS-total, AMS-somatic, AMS-psychological, and AMS-sexual scores were significantly correlated to aerobic exercise capacity even after considering age and testosterone levels. In study 2, 12-week aerobic exercise training significantly improved AMS-sexual and tended to improve AMS-total scores. Additionally, an increase in vigorous physical activity was correlated to improve in the AMS-sexual score. These results suggest that regular aerobic exercise is an effective strategy to improve aging-induced disorders in men.

Aerobic exercise training normalizes central blood pressure regulation after oral glucose loading in overweight/obese men.

Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) decreases after a meal or glucose challenge, but this response is impaired in obesity-related disorders. We investigated whether aerobic exercise training improves cSBP regulation during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in overweight/obese men. Thirteen overweight/obese men and six normal-weight men (as an alternative comparison instead of a no-exercise group) completed a 12-week aerobic exercise training program. Before and after the program, cSBP (i.e., radial second systolic pressure) was measured using an applanation tonometry at fasting and both 60 min and 120 min after 75 g glucose loading. Before and during the program, physical activity (PA) time was recorded using a tri-axial accelerometer. Pre-training, cSBP was significantly decreased with glucose loading in normal-weight men, while cSBP did not change in overweight/obese men. Post-training, a significant decrease in cSBP was observed in both groups following glucose loading. In addition, the increase in vigorous PA time during the exercise program was significantly correlated to the increase in area above the curve for cSBP during OGTT (demonstrating an improvement in the cSBP response to glucose loading) after the exercise program. These findings may provide novel insights into the role of PA in reducing the cardiovascular risk in obesity.

Vigorous Physical Activity is Associated with Regular Aerobic Exercise-Induced Increased Serum Testosterone Levels in Overweight/Obese Men.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone and low circulating testosterone levels are associated with various health disorders in men. Obesity results in reduced circulating testosterone levels in men. Previously, we demonstrated that lifestyle modifications (combination of aerobic exercise and dietary modification) increase circulating testosterone levels in overweight/obese men. However, the effect of regular aerobic exercise on serum testosterone levels remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention on circulating testosterone levels in normal-weight and overweight/obese men. Sixteen normal-weight men and twenty-eight overweight/obese men completed a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention. Before and after the intervention, we measured serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone levels, and categorized the physical activity levels (light, moderate, or vigorous) in all participants. At baseline, serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone levels were significantly lower in overweight/obese men than in normal-weight men (all p<0.01). After the 12-week aerobic exercise intervention, serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone levels significantly increased in overweight/obese men (p<0.01). In addition, stepwise multivariable linear regression analysis revealed the increase in vigorous physical activity was independently associated with increased serum total testosterone levels (ß=0.47, p=0.011). We demonstrated that a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention increased serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and bioavailable testosterone levels in overweight/obese men. We suggest that an increase in vigorous physical activity increased circulating testosterone levels in overweight/obese men.

Which cytokine is the most related to weight loss-induced decrease in arterial stiffness in overweight and obese men?

Obesity and increased arterial stiffness are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A well-known characteristic of obesity is the chronic low-grade inflammatory state, and it causes elevation of arterial stiffness. Weight-loss reduces arterial stiffness and inflammatory level in obese individuals. However, it is unclear which inflammatory factor is most related to weight loss-induce decreases in arterial stiffness in overweight and obese men. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine which circulating cytokine level has the most effect on decreasing arterial stiffness after lifestyle modification. Twenty overweight and obese men completed a 12-week period of lifestyle modifications (combination of aerobic exercise training and dietary modification). We measured brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as an index of arterial stiffness, and circulating cytokine levels using comprehensive analysis. After the 12-week lifestyle modifications, body mass was markedly decreased. Also, baPWV and the levels of several circulating cytokines significantly decreased after the lifestyle modifications. We observed a positive correlation between changes in baPWV and circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Furthermore, multiple liner regression analysis revealed that change in baPWV was significantly associated with that in IL-6 levels after consideration of changes in systolic blood pressure and body mass index. These results suggest that for overweight and obese men, a 12-week period of lifestyle modifications-induced a decrease in circulating cytokine levels (especially IL-6 levels), leads to decreased baPWV.

Increasing Physical Activity Might Be More Effective to Improve Foot Structure and Function Than Weight Reduction in Obese Adults.

Obesity is reported to be an important factor affecting foot structure and function. For obese individuals, weight reduction or increasing weight physical activity could be an effective approach to improve foot structure and function. The present study sought to determine the effect of weight reduction and increasing physical activity on foot structure and function in obese Japanese and to investigate which intervention is more beneficial. The participants were divided into the weight reduction group (n = 30; body mass index 29.0 ± 2.5 kg/m2), with the intervention consisting of dietary modification, and the increasing physical activity group (n = 15; body mass index 28.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2), with the intervention consisting of walking and jogging. A 3-dimensional foot scanner was used to measure the foot anthropometric data with the participants both sitting and standing. The dorsum height declined and the arch stiffness index increased after the weight reduction intervention, and the truncated foot length decreased and the arch stiffness index increased after the increasing physical activity intervention (p <.05). The arch height index showed a downward trend after the weight reduction intervention (p = .060) and an upward trend after the increasing physical activity intervention (p = .069). Moreover, a greater change was found in the increase of the dorsum height and arch height index and decrease of the truncated foot length in the increasing physical activity group than in the weight reduction group (p <.05). These findings suggest that increasing physical activity might be more effective to improve foot structure and function than weight reduction in obese adults.

Association of Foot Structure with the Strength of Muscles that Move the Ankle and Physical Performance.

The human foot plays an important role in supporting body weight, maintaining postural balance, and absorbing ground reaction forces. Although many studies have indicated that a causal relationship exists between foot structure and alterations in lower extremity kinematics, there is little evidence regarding the possible association of foot structure with strength of muscles that move the ankle and physical performance. A total of 67 adult men with a mean age of 51.19 ± 8.82 years participated in this study. Foot structural parameters were assessed using a 3-dimensional foot scanner. Strength of muscles that move the ankle was measured with a dynamometer. Physical performance items, including agility, force, and proprioception, were also measured. We found that all the measured parameters of the length, width, girth, and height of the foot were positively correlated with the strength of plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, and inversion (r ranged from 0.26 to 0.57; p < .05). Moreover, all or part of the parameters of the length, width, and girth of the foot but not the height and angles of the foot were correlated significantly with vertical jump, stepping forward and backward, and stepping side to side (r ranged from 0.25 to 0.44; p < .05). These findings indicate a weak-to-moderate association between foot structure and the strength of muscles that move the ankle, as well as physical performance. We therefore suggest that a larger foot may have greater muscle strength of the ankle joint and better physical performance.

Does Weight Reduction Affect Foot Structure and the Strength of the Muscles That Move the Ankle in Obese Japanese Adults?

Obesity is considered a major influential factor of foot structure and function. It has been reported to result in detrimental alterations of foot structure indicators and a decrease in muscle strength, which can lower the quality of life and increase the morbidity of obesity. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of weight reduction on foot structure and the strength of the muscles that move the ankle in obese adults. A total of 33 obese Japanese participants (mean body mass index 28.49 ± 2.87 kg/m2) without an exercise habit participated in a 12-week dietary modification program. Their foot structure indicators were measured using a 3-dimensional foot scanner, and the strength of the muscles that move the ankle was assessed using a dynamometer. After the dietary modification, the mean body weight reduction was 7.49 ± 4.10 kg (9.38%; 77.82 ± 13.26 kg before and 70.33 ± 11.37 kg after; p <.001). The wide foot indicators, including the forefoot girth, rearfoot width, and instep girth, had decreased significantly (p <.05), and the decreases correlated positively with the weight reduction. Regarding the strength of the muscles that move the ankle, except for dorsiflexion, all the measured peak torque values per body weight had increased significantly (p <.01). These results suggest that the weight reduction induced by a 12-week dietary modification results in thinner feet and increased strength of the muscles that move the ankle.

Mild-to-Moderate Hallux Valgus Does Not Decrease Ankle Muscle Strength in Middle-Aged Japanese Women: A Comparative Study.

Extreme hallux valgus has been documented to be related to lower functional ability and health-related quality of life. It also has a negative effect on foot structure and biomechanical characteristics, which in turn may affect muscle strength in the foot and ankle. Thus, the purposes of this study were to determine whether there is a difference of ankle muscle strength in varied hallux valgus deformities and to investigate correlations between hallux valgus angles and ankle muscle strength. Hallux valgus angles and ankle muscle strength data were collected from 31 middle-aged Japanese women. The hallux valgus angle was measured with a 3-dimensional foot scanner; ankle muscle strength was measured with a dynamometer. Results showed no differences in ankle muscle strength between normal and mild-to-moderate hallux valgus at both 60º/second and 120º/second (p > .05). Unexpectedly, women with mild-to-moderate hallux valgus had a greater value for inversion peak torque per body weight and eversion-to-inversion ratio than those with normal hallux valgus (p = .019 and p = .022) at 120º/second. Furthermore, hallux valgus was correlated with inversion peak torque and peak torque per body weight (r = 0.47; p = .012 and r = 0.50; p = .007) and associated with eversion-to-inversion strength ratio (r = -0.47; p = .012). The findings indicated that mild-to-moderate hallux valgus did not result in a decrease in ankle muscle strength. Conversely, mild-to-moderate hallux valgus had greater ankle inversion strength in middle-aged Japanese women. Further studies are needed to investigate ankle muscle strength in severe hallux valgus deformities.

Relationships between serum free fatty acid and pulse pressure amplification in overweight/obese men: insights from exercise training and dietary modification.

Pulse pressure amplification (i.e., the ratio of peripheral to central pulse pressure) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events. Circulating free fatty acid, which is a major cause of insulin resistance, has been reported to favorably be associated with pulse pressure amplification in the arm (from the aorta to brachial artery). We hypothesized that this paradoxical relationship depended on an evaluating site of pulse pressure amplification and investigated whether serum free fatty acid level is related to pulse pressure amplification in the arm or trunk (from the aorta to femoral artery) in overweight/obese men. In a cross-sectional study, 85 men participated, and regression analyses revealed that serum free fatty acid level was significantly and independently associated with pulse pressure amplification in the arm but not the trunk. In a longitudinal study, 33 men completed a 12-week lifestyle intervention that involved both exercise training and dietary modification. The lifestyle intervention-induced change in serum free fatty acid level was significantly correlated to that in pulse pressure amplification in the arm but not the trunk. These results support our hypothesis and suggest that pulse pressure amplification should be measured in the trunk instead of the arm in overweight/obese men to simplify its interpretation.

Moderate to vigorous physical activity volume is an important factor for managing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective study.

UNLABELLED: Recently, the beneficial effects of increased physical activity (PA) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese subjects were reported. However, the optimal strength and volume of PA in lifestyle modification to improve NAFLD pathophysiology and be recommended as an appropriate management of this condition are unclear. The primary goal of this retrospective study was to estimate the beneficial effects of a varying volume of moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) on the improvement of NAFLD. A total of 169 obese, middle-aged men were enrolled in a 12-week weight reduction program through lifestyle modification consisting of dietary restrictions plus aerobic exercise. Among these obese subjects, 40 performed MVPA for <150 min·wk(-1) , 42 performed MVPA for 150-250 min·wk(-1) , and 87 performed MVPA for >250 min·wk(-1) . The subjects in the MVPA ≥250 min·wk(-1) group, in comparison with those in the MVPA <250 min·wk(-1) group, showed significantly attenuated levels of hepatic steatosis (-31.8% versus -23.2%). This attenuation was likely independent of the detectable weight reduction. MVPA for ≥250 min·wk(-1) in comparison with that for <150 min·wk(-1) led to a significant decrease in the abdominal visceral adipose tissue severity (-40.6% versus -12.9%), levels of ferritin (-13.6% versus +1.5%), and lipid peroxidation (-15.1% versus -2.8%), and a significant increase in the adiponectin levels (+17.1% versus +5.6%). In association with these changes, the gene expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells also significantly decreased and increased, respectively. CONCLUSION: MVPA for ≥250 min·wk(-1) as part of lifestyle management improves NAFLD pathophysiology in obese men. The benefits seem to be acquired through reducing inflammation and oxidative stress levels and altering fatty acid metabolism.

Increased physical activity has a greater effect than reduced energy intake on lifestyle modification-induced increases in testosterone.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Obesity results in reduced serum testosterone levels, which causes many disorders in men. Lifestyle modifications (increased physical activity and calorie restriction) can increase serum testosterone levels. However, it is unknown whether increased physical activity or calorie restriction during lifestyle modifications has a greater effects on serum testosterone levels. Forty-one overweight and obese men completed a 12-week lifestyle modification program (aerobic exercise training and calorie restriction). We measured serum testosterone levels, the number of steps, and the total energy intake. We divided participants into two groups based on the median change in the number of steps (high or low physical activities) or that in calorie restriction (high or low calorie restrictions). After the program, serum testosterone levels were significantly increased. Serum testosterone levels in the high physical activity group were significantly higher than those in the low activity group. This effect was not observed between the groups based on calorie restriction levels. We found a significant positive correlation between the changes in serum testosterone levels and the number of steps. Our results suggested that an increase in physical activity greatly affected the increased serum testosterone levels in overweight and obese men during lifestyle modification.

Effects of increasing physical activity on foot structure and ankle muscle strength in adults with obesity.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of increasing physical activity on foot structure and ankle muscle strength in adults with obesity and to verify whether the rate of change in foot structure is related to that in ankle muscle strength. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-seven adults with obesity completed a 12-week program in which the intensity of physical activity performed was gradually increased. Physical activity was monitored using a three-axis accelerometer. Foot structure was assessed using a three-dimensional foot scanner, while ankle muscle strength was measured using a dynamometry. [Results] With the increasing physical activity, the participants' feet became thinner (the rearfoot width, instep height, and girth decreased) and the arch became higher (the arch height index increased) and stiffer (the arch stiffness index increased); the ankle muscle strength also increased after the intervention. Additionally, the changes in the arch height index and arch stiffness index were not associated with changes in ankle muscle strength. [Conclusion] Increasing physical activity may be one possible approach to improve foot structure and function in individuals with obesity.

Lifestyle modification increases serum testosterone level and decrease central blood pressure in overweight and obese men.

Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions and is associated with multiple comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease. A novel predictor of cardiovascular disease is elevated central systolic blood pressure. In fact, lifestyle modifications have been shown to decrease the central systolic blood pressure in overweight and obese men. The mechanism underlying these changes has yet to be fully elucidated. Interestingly, testosterone has been found to have cardioprotective effects. Moreover, serum testosterone levels are lower in obese men than in normal weight men. However, it is still unclear whether testosterone participates in the decrease of central blood pressure in overweight and obese men following lifestyle modifications. So, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of testosterone on central systolic blood pressure in overweight and obese men before and after the 12-week lifestyle modification program. Forty-four overweight and obese men completed a 12-week lifestyle modification program (aerobic exercise training and dietary modifications). For all participants, central systolic blood pressure and serum testosterone levels were measured before and after the program. After the program, central systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased while serum total testosterone levels were significantly increased in overweight and obese men. Moreover, we also found a significant negative relationship between the change in serum testosterone levels and that in central systolic blood pressure. The present study suggests that increased serum testosterone levels likely contribute to a decrease in central blood pressure in overweight and obese men.

Lifestyle modification decreases arterial stiffness in overweight and obese men: dietary modification vs. exercise training.

Obesity and increased arterial stiffness are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness is increased in obese individuals than in age-matched nonobese individuals. We demonstrated that dietary modification and exercise training are effective in reducing arterial stiffness in obese persons. However, the differences in the effect on arterial stiffness between dietary modification and exercise training are unknown. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effect of dietary modification and aerobic exercise training on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in overweight and obese persons. Forty-five overweight and obese men (48 ± 1 year) completed either a dietary modification (well-balanced nutrient, 1680 kcal/day) or an exercise-training program (walking, 40-60 min/day, 3 days/week) for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, all participants underwent anthropometric measurements. Arterial stiffness was measured based on carotid arterial compliance, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and endothelial function was determined by circulating level of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide metabolite (nitrites/nitrate as metabolite: NOx). Body mass and waist circumference significantly decreased after both intervention programs. Weight loss was greater after dietary modification than after exercise training (-10.1 ± 0.6 kg vs. -3.6 ± 0.5 kg, p < .01). Although arterial stiffness and the plasma levels of ET-1 and NOx were improved after dietary modification or exercise training, there were no differences in those improvements between the 2 types of interventions. Exercise training improves arterial function in obese men without as much weight loss as after dietary modification.

Weight loss may be a better approach for managing musculoskeletal conditions than increasing muscle mass and strength.

To prevent or remedy musculoskeletal conditions, the relationship between obesity and the characteristics of muscle mass and strength need to be clarified. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 259 Japanese males aged 30-64 years were classified into 4 groups according to the Japanese obesity criteria. Body composition was evaluated, and handgrip strength and knee extensor strength were measured for the upper and lower extremities, respectively. Physical performance was evaluated with a jump test. [Results] Obesity was positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass index, percentage of whole-body fat, and leg muscle strength and negatively correlated with the percentage of muscle mass index, body weight-normalized handgrip strength, and knee extensor strength, and the jump test results. [Conclusion] Weight loss may be a better approach than increasing muscle mass and strength to improve musculoskeletal conditions in obese adult males.

The dose-response relationship between body mass index and the risk of incident stage ≥3 chronic kidney disease in a general japanese population: the Ibaraki prefectural health study (IPHS).

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of stage ≥3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a general Japanese population. METHODS: A total of 105 611 participants aged 40-79 years who completed health checkups in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and were free of CKD in 1993 were followed-up through 2006. Stage ≥3 CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) reported during at least 2 successive annual surveys or as treatment for kidney disease. Hazard ratios (HRs) for the development of stage ≥3 CKD relative to the BMI categories were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model, which was adjusted for possible confounders and mediators. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 5 years, 19 384 participants (18.4%) developed stage ≥3 CKD. Compared to a BMI of 21.0-22.9 kg/m(2), elevated multivariable-adjusted HRs were observed among men with a BMI ≥23.0 kg/m(2) and women with a BMI ≥27.0 kg/m(2). Significant dose-response relationships between BMI and the incidence of stage ≥3 CKD were observed in both sexes (P for trend <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was associated with the risk of developing stage ≥3 CKD among men and women.

Robustness of the self-referential process under normobaric hypoxia: an fNIRS study using the GLM and homologous cortical functional connectivity analyses.

Introduction: Hypoxia has been reported to impair psychological functions, such as working memory and decision-making. However, few studies have examined hypoxia's effect on social cognition. Methods: Using a self-referential task, the present study investigated normobaric hypoxia's effect on the self-referential process. Additionally, we measured brain activity during the task with fNIRS and performed conventional univariate analysis with the general linear model (GLM) as well as homologous cortical functional connectivity analysis. Results: The results revealed that normobaric hypoxia impaired recognition of adjectives in the other-reference condition but not in the self-reference. The GLM analysis did not detect differences in brain activity between the self- and other-reference conditions, suggesting that GLM analysis may not be suitable for examining self- and other-reference conditions' neural correlates. The homologous cortical connectivity analysis revealed that the connectivity's magnitude was greater in the self-reference than in the other-reference conditions in the normoxic group. However, such a decrease in connectivity in the other-reference conditions was not observed in the hypoxic group, possibly to compensate for cognitive decline induced by the hypoxia. Conclusion: Considering that homologous connectivity reflects the default mode network, which is supposedly linked to continuous self-reference, stable strength of the connectivity in the self-reference condition under the hypoxia may suggest robust nature of the self-reference process under normobaric hypoxia.

Visceral adipose tissue volume estimated at imaging sites 5-6 cm above L4-L5 is optimal for predicting cardiovascular risk factors in obese Japanese men.

The association between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been clearly demonstrated. Although typical VAT area at 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae (L4-L5) is used to approximate VAT volume, growing evidence has suggested that this measurement site may not be ideal. However, these findings for Asian people remain unclear. Thus, we searched for the better VAT measurement sites associated with CVD risk factors in obese, Japanese men. Eighty-two obese men were included in a cross-sectional study. Among these participants, 37 men completed the 12-week intervention (90 min and 3 d/week) were used for addressing longitudinal association between the VAT measurement sites and CVD risk factors. Consecutive MRI images (from 3 cm below L4-L5 to 20 cm above L4-L5) were used to explore the relationship between each VAT area and CVD risk factors (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin and blood pressure). The images located only 5-9 cm above L4-L5 had significant correlations with HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but L4-L5 site did not in the cross-sectional analysis. In response to exercise, the image located 5 cm above L4-L5 showed the highest correlations with changes in total cholesterol (r = 0.46) and glucose (r = 0.36). Also, the image located 6 cm above L4-L5 showed highest correlations with changes in triglycerides (r = 0.37) and insulin (r = 0.37). Thus, the range of VAT images located 5-6 cm above L4-L5 may be optimal for identifying CVD risk factors compared to a typical site of L4-L5.

Weight-loss-independent benefits of exercise on liver steatosis and stiffness in Japanese men with NAFLD.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A weight-loss-independent beneficial effect of exercise on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) management has been reported, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. To help determine this mechanism, the effects of exercise on individual tissues (liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle) were retrospectively studied. METHODS: Data from Japanese obese men with NAFLD in a 3-month exercise regimen were analysed and compared with those in a 3-month dietary restriction program designed to achieve weight loss. The underlying mechanism was studied in a smaller subcohort. RESULTS: Independent of the effect of weight loss, the exercise regimen reduced liver steatosis by 9.5% and liver stiffness by 6.8% per 1% weight loss, and resulted in a 16.4% reduction in FibroScan-AST score. Improvements in these hepatic parameters were closely associated with anthropometric changes (reduction in adipose tissue and preservation of muscle mass), increases in muscle strength (+11.6%), reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress (ferritin: -22.3% and thiobarbituric acid: -12.3%), and changes in organokine concentrations (selenoprotein-P: -11.2%, follistatin: +17.1%, adiponectin: +8.9%, and myostatin: -21.6%) during the exercise regimen. Moreover, the expression of target genes of the transcription factor Nrf2, an oxidative stress sensor, was higher in monocytes, suggesting that Nrf2 is activated. Large amounts of high-intensity exercise were effective at further reducing liver steatosis and potentiating improvements in pathophysiological parameters (liver enzyme activities and organokine profiles). CONCLUSIONS: The weight-loss-independent benefits of exercise include anti-steatotic and anti-stiffness effects in the livers of patients with NAFLD. These benefits seem to be acquired through the modification of inter-organ crosstalk, which is characterised by improvements in organokine imbalance and reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress. LAY SUMMARY: We investigated the effects of exercise on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that were not related to weight loss. We found that exercise had considerable weight-loss-independent benefits for the liver through a number of mechanisms. This suggests that exercise is important for NAFLD patients, regardless of whether they lose weight.

A Single Motivational Lecture Can Promote Modest Weight Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a public health problem worldwide. To widely disseminate weight-loss interventions across the target population, a cost-effective approach is needed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test whether a single motivational lecture could promote weight loss. METHODS: Our study was a 3-month randomized controlled trial, and we recruited participants via local newspaper advertisements in 3 cities in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and randomly assigned them to a control group (no intervention) and an intervention group, who attended a single motivational lecture lasting approximately 2 h. No other lectures or textbooks were provided. The eligibility criteria included an age of 40-64 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 25-40 kg/m2, and the presence of at least 1 component of metabolic syndrome. The primary outcome was body weight change at 3 months. RESULTS: We enrolled 145 eligible participants with a mean age of 53.8 ± 7.1 years and a BMI of 28.5 ± 3.1 kg/m2. The 3-month body weight change in the control and intervention groups was -0.65 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] -1.09 to -0.20) and -2.48 kg (95% CI -3.01 to -1.95), respectively. The between-group difference was 1.83 kg (95% CI 1.15-2.51). CONCLUSIONS: The significant difference suggested that a single motivational lecture is an effective option to promote modest weight loss in the short term.