Characterization of regulatory transcriptional mechanisms in hepatocyte lipotoxicity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a continuum of disorders among which non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is particularly associated with a negative prognosis. Hepatocyte lipotoxicity is one of the main pathogenic factors of liver fibrosis and NASH. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process are poorly understood.

Points-based physical activity: a novel approach to facilitate changes in body composition in inactive women with overweight and obesity.

Background: Physical activity (PA) interventions for the promotion of weight-management may benefit from increased choice and flexibility to overcome commonly-perceived barriers to PA. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel "points-based" approach to PA on body composition in inactive women, who are overweight or obese.

Methods: Seventy-six overweight or obese, inactive women were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: 'Points-based' PA (PBPA; 30 "PA points"•week), Structured exercise (StructEx; 150 min moderate-intensity exercise•week) or control (CONT; continue habitual inactive lifestyle) for a 24-week intervention.

The coactivator PGC-1α regulates skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism independently of the nuclear receptor PPARβ/δ in sedentary mice fed a regular chow diet.

Aims/hypothesis: Physical activity improves oxidative capacity and exerts therapeutic beneficial effects, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and the nuclear receptor PPARβ/δ have both been independently discovered to play a pivotal role in the regulation of oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle, though their interdependence remains unclear. Hence, our aim was to determine the functional interaction between these two factors in mouse skeletal muscle in vivo.