Manuscript title: The effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on visfatin and HS-CRP levels in postmenopausal women with NAFLD

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with changes in fat metabolism. Changes in fat metabolism increase inflammatory factors such as visfatin and the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Recent studies have reported an association between visfatin and fatty liver. The inflammatory factors such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is known to be associated with inflammation in the liver. Visfatin is a new obesity-related adipokine that is isolatedfrom the visceral adipose tissue.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on body composition, vistafin, and hs-CRP levels in postmenopausal women with NAFLD.In this study, forty postmenopausal women with NAFLD were randomly divided into two groups: ۱) exercise group (n=۲۰) and control group (n=۲۰). The training program consisted of ۸ weeks, ۳ sessions per week, and each session consisted of one hour of HIIT training with an intensity of ۷۵-۹۰% of the maximum heart rate (MHR). The control group did not exercise. Data were analyzed using independent t-test at the significant level of p<۰.۰۵.The results showed that the serum vistafin concentration (p<۰.۰۱) and hs-CRP (p<۰.۰۵) in the trained group were significantly reduced compared to the control group. Also, fat percentage after ۸ weeks of exercise training was significantly reduced compared to the control group (p<۰.۰۱)In conclusion, ۶۰-minute high-intensity interval training (three times/week) reduces inflammatory factors such as vistafin concentration, and level of hs-CRP and improve body composition in postmenopausal women with NAFLD. Also, exercise can improve the efficiency of weight-loss program in the reduction of body fat.