Alterations of liver enzymes and lipid profile in response to exhaustive eccentric exercise: vitamin D supplementation trial in overweight females with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background Eccentric exhaustive exercise (EEE) training has been known as a promising training modality to enhance performance and stimulate adaptation in healthy individuals or patients that might also cause abnormal liver enzymes and lipid profiles. Vitamin D (Vit D) supplementation is believed to improve the condition of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) patients. However, there is limited evidence on the effect of Vit D supplementation on the EEE-induced alterations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term supplementation of Vit D on the liver enzymes and lipid profile alterations following EEE in overweight women with NAFLD. Methods In this clinical trial, 22 overweight women with NAFLD were randomly divided into experimental and control (n = 11 in each). The experimental group consumed 2000 IU of Vit D per day for six weeks; the control group consumed a lactose placebo daily with the same color, shape, and warmth percentage. Two treadmill EEE sessions were performed before and after the six-week Vit D supplementation. Blood was taken from the antecubital vein to measure the liver enzymes, lipid profile, and Vit D at four stages: Pre 1(before the first EEE session), Post 1(after the first EEE session), Pre 2 (before the second EEE session), and Post 2 (after the second EEE session). Results The results indicate that Vit D supplementation significantly reduced Bodyweight (BW; P = 0.047), Body Mass Index (BMI; P = 0.044), Body Fat Percentage (BFP; P = 0.001), and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR; P = 0.001) in the experimental group. Additionally, the results showed increased liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and GGT) and lipid profile (TC, TG, and LDL) following EEE. While the HDL levels decreased significantly after EEE. Compared with control, the results of the independent t-test showed significantly lower ALT (P = 0.001; P = 0.001), AST (P = 0.001; P = 0.001), and GGT (P = 0.001; P = 0.001); while significantly higher Vit D (P = 0.001, P = 0.001) in the experimental in both Pre 2 and Post 2; receptively. Also, significantly lower TC (P = 0.001; P = 0.001), TG (P = 0.048; P = 0.001), and LDL (P = 0.001; P = 0.001); while significantly higher HDL (P = 0.001, P = 0.001) were observed in the experimental group compared to the control in both Pre 2 and Post 2; receptively. Conclusions Vit D supplementation reduces the liver enzymes and improves lipid profile alterations following EEE in overweight women with NAFLD. Thus, Vit D supplementation can be considered a functional supplement to improve the EEE-induced alteration. Trial registration: The trial was in the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center under the (IRCT20201130049538N1) on 05/07/2021.