Understanding how exercise can improve liver health in patients with fatty liver disease

Establishing the mechanism of benefit and dose of exercise required to improve liver histology in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-10992670

This study is looking at how different amounts of exercise can help people with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) improve their liver health, and it will involve patients trying out exercise programs to see what works best.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hershey, United States)
Project IDNIH-10992670 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different amounts of exercise can benefit patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition characterized by fat buildup in the liver. The study aims to determine the specific mechanisms by which exercise improves liver health and the optimal exercise dose needed for significant improvement. By examining the activation of a protein called AMPK during exercise, the research seeks to understand how exercise can lead to reduced liver fat and better liver histology. Patients may be involved in exercise programs to assess these effects over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Not a fit: Patients with liver conditions unrelated to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or those who are unable to participate in exercise may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to tailored exercise recommendations that significantly improve liver health for patients with NASH.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in using exercise to improve liver health in similar patient populations, indicating that this approach has potential.

Where this research is happening

Hershey, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Animal Disease Models
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.