ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH16
INTRODUCTION: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is defined as excessive triglyceride storage in the liver combined with the presence of at least one cardiometabolic risk factor and the absence of alcohol abuse (1). Recently, myosteatosis, defined as excessive lipid storage in skeletal muscle, has been shown to be linked to the severity of MASLD in preclinical models (2). In literature, moderate intensity continuous training (MCT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) both improve hepatic steatosis but poor data are available about their respective effect on myosteatosis associated and the mechanisms involved (2,3). This study aims to investigate if physical exercise could reduce myosteatosis and the severity of MASLD in a preclinical model, and which training modality would be the most effective. METHODS: Fat Aussie (FOZ) mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) and C57BL6/J mice fed a Western diet with 30% fructose in drinking water (WDF) for 20 weeks were used as preclinical models of MASLD. Each model was divided into five groups: treadmill control (CTRL_TM; FOZ n=10,C57 n=8), MCT (FOZ n=7, C57 n=8), HIIT (FOZ n=9, C57 n=8), wheel control (CTRL_W; FOZ n=6, C57 n=8), and voluntary wheel running (W; FOZ n=6, C57 n=8). After 12 weeks of diet, mice were trained 5 times per week for 8 weeks on a treadmill or during nights on the wheel. Before and after training, weight, body composition and density of the dorsal muscle (DM) and the liver were measured. Mice were sacrificed at the end of training period. Hindlimb muscles and liver were collected for further analysis. RESULTS: Exercise interventions induced model-dependent responses. While MCT improved body weight and composition in both models, HIIT and voluntary training had no effect on these outcomes in FOZ mice. In contrast, in C57 mice, all exercise modalities significantly affected weight gain and fat and lean mass proportions. Myosteatosis was not improved by MCT or HIIT; however, voluntary running prevented its increase in FOZ mice compared with CTRL_W. Hepatic steatosis was reduced only in C57 mice following voluntary running. CONCLUSION: Although HIIT and MCT improved body composition, their effect on improving MASLD and myosteatosis in mice models with severe form of MASLD were limited without changing diet. However, voluntary running showed improvement, notably regarding hepatic steatosis. Further analyses are needed to investigate mechanisms implied through fat infiltration in liver and skeletal muscle and crosstalk communication between these two organs. References: 1. Tacke et al., J. Hepatol. 2024 2. Henin et al., JHEP Rep. 2024 3. Liu et al., J. Obes. Metab. Syndr. 2025
Read CV Camille LannoyECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH16
INTRODUCTION: Glycogen storage disease type II (GSD-II), commonly known as Pompe disease, and mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) are rare, inherited and progressive metabolic disorders characterized by multisystem involvement, including progressive proximal muscle weakness and respiratory insufficiency. These conditions may present in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the standard of care for both diseases and requires periodic and prolonged infusions. Previous studies suggest that exercise increases blood flow to skeletal muscles, potentially enhancing the delivery of the infused enzyme to affected tissues. The aim of this study was to describe a precision-based exercise training program (PEx) integrated during ERT in children with early-onset Pompe disease (EOPD) and MPS II, delivered both in person and via telemedicine, and to evaluate its clinical impact and organizational feasibility. METHODS: Nine children ( 7 GSD-II and 2 MPS II, 5 males, 4 females; mean age 9 years) were enrolled from September 2024 to December 2025 at a referral outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Monza, Italy. All participants underwent a PEx program tailored to age, functional profile, and clinical status, with particular attention to fatigue management. Training sessions were integrated during ERT infusions and delivered both onsite and remotely. RESULTS: A total of 42 telemedicine sessions and 14 outpatient clinic sessions were conducted during ERT. No exercise-related adverse events were recorded. Parents were present during each training session, ensuring safety and adherence. CONCLUSION: The integration of telemedicine and in-person precision-based exercise training during ERT appears to be a safe and feasible approach for children with EOPD and MPS II. Family involvement and collaboration with pediatricians represent key factors for the sustainability and scalability of this intervention.
Read CV Tommaso Pietro MoriggiECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH16
INTRODUCTION: KAATSU – Japanese for added pressure, is a mode of blood flow restriction that allows a pneumatic cuff to be inflated cyclically to induce circumferential pressure onto a proximal limb. This can allow more robust circulation in inflammatory markers – especially following exercise which can assist recovery and reduce muscle soreness. Furthermore, wearing KAATSU bands prior to exercise may enhance performance by pre-activating a localized “fight-or-flight” response in the muscles, increasing metabolic stress and hormonal signaling (e.g., growth hormone and IGF-1), which can prime the neuromuscular system. Post-COVID-19 syndrome is a chronic, multi-system condition consequential of an acute COVID-19 infection. A symptom of the disease is post-exertional malaise (PEM) which can limit functionality and induce severe fatigue. The goal of this study was to determine if individuals living with post-COVID-19 syndrome can have a stronger performance following 10-minutes of KAATSU before and after exertion, and if their PEM lessens. METHODS: Men and women (n=10) with a mean age of 46, who have been living with post-COVID-19 syndrome for at least one year were recruited to attend two exercise testing sessions. One of the visits, participants wore KAATSU bands at the proximal thighs before and after completing six exercise tests; wall sit (WS), 30s sit to stand (STS), grip strength (GS), 1 repetition max (RM) single leg press, 5-minute step test (ST) and the 6-minute walk test (MWT). At 24hours after both sessions, participants were asked to rate their PEM on a scale from 0 (no PEM) to 10 (extreme). RESULTS: Paired-sample correlations showed strong within-subject associations between conditions across all outcomes (r = .809–.988, all p ≤ .005), indicating high measurement consistency and stable individual ranking between trials. Paired t-tests revealed a significant difference in WS time with KAATSU outperforming control (mean difference = −18.4, 95% CI [−30.6, −6.2], t(9) = −3.41, p = .008). A trend toward improvement was observed for STS repetitions under KAATSU (mean difference = −1.9, p = .076), while no significant differences were found for GS, 6MWT and 1 RM dominant leg press. The rating of PEM on a scale from 0-10 averaged 4.2 following the CON and 2.5 following KAATSU. CONCLUSION: KAATSU produced improvements in WS time and trends toward better functional repetition performance while maintaining highly consistent strength and endurance outputs, suggesting enhanced function without disruption of movement control. Importantly, PEM ratings were lower following KAATSU (mean = 2.5) compared with control (mean = 4.2), indicating a trend toward improved exercise tolerance and recovery. For individuals living with long COVID, KAATSU may offer a low-load strategy to elicit physiological benefits while minimizing symptom exacerbation.
Read CV Daniela PrestaECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH16