Journal Article

Restoring skeletal muscle mass as an independent determinant of liver fat deposition improvement in MAFLD

Ye, Junzhao, Zhong, Bihui, Wang, Wei, Zhuo, Shuyu, Feng, Shiting, Luo, Ling, Zhou, Ting, Dong, Zhi

2023

Overview

Aims Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated the association of skeletal muscle mass with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), while longitudinal data are scarce. We aimed to explore the impact of changes in relative skeletal muscle mass on the MAFLD treatment response. Methods MAFLD patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction for liver fat content (LFC) assessments and bioelectrical impedance analysis before and after treatment (orlistat, meal replacement, lifestyle modifications) were enrolled. Appendicular muscle mass (ASM) was adjusted by weight (ASM/W). Results Overall, 256 participants were recruited and divided into two groups: with an ASM/W increase ( n =166) and without an ASM/W increase ( n =90). There was a great reduction in LFC in the group with an ASM/W increase (16.9% versus 8.2%, P < 0.001). However, the change in LFC in the group without an ASM/W increase showed no significant difference (12.5% versus 15.0%, P > 0.05). △ASM/W Follow-up-Baseline [odds ratio (OR)=1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-2.07, P = 0.024] and △total fat mass (OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.12-1.87, P = 0.004) were independent predictors for steatosis improvement (relative reduction of LFC ≥ 30%). The subgroup analysis showed that, despite without weight loss, decrease in HOMA-IR (OR=6.21, 95% CI 1.28-30.13, P= 0.023), △total fat mass Baseline -Follow-up (OR=3.48, 95% CI 1.95-6.21, P <0.001 and △ASM/W Follow-up-Baseline (OR=2.13, 95% CI 1.12-4.05, P =0.022) independently predicted steatosis improvement. Conclusions ASM/W increase and loss of total fat mass benefit the resolution of liver steatosis, independent of weight loss for MAFLD.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Biochemistry / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biopsy / Biotechnology / Body composition / Body fat / Body mass index / Cardiovascular disease / Care and treatment / Cell Biology / Developmental Biology / Exercise / Fatty liver / Glucose / Hepatitis / Insulin resistance / Life Sciences / Liver / Liver cancer / Liver cirrhosis / Liver diseases / Liver fat content / Longitudinal studies / Magnetic resonance imaging / Metabolic associated fatty liver disease / Metabolism / Muscles / Musculoskeletal system / Physical fitness / Relative skeletal muscle mass / Sarcopenia / Skeletal muscle / Steatosis / Systems Biology / Treatment response / Type 2 diabetes / Weight / Weight loss / Weight reducing preparations