Clinics in Liver Disease: Update on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Sarcopenia and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Dual diagnoses of sarcopenia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increase the risk of all cause mortality and severe liver disease, regardless of nationality. General agreement about diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia includes loss of skeletal muscle mass, weakness, and reduced physical performance. Histopathology demonstrates loss of type 2 muscle fibers, more than type 1 fibers and myosteatosis, a risk factor for severe liver disease. Low skeletal mass and NAFLD are inversely related; the mechanism is through decreased insulin signaling and insulin resistance, critical for metabolic homeostasis. Weight loss, exercise, and increased protein intake have been effective in reducing NAFLD and sarcopenia.

Keywords: Exercise; Lifestyle modification; Loss of muscle strength; Myokines; Myosteatosis; Non–liver-related mortality; Sarcopenia; Steatosis.