Physical exercise increases liver stiffness in humans

Background: Liver stiffness (LS) as measured by transient elastography is now widely used to non-invasively assess the degree of fibrosis in chronic liver disease. However, several other conditions also increase LS values irrespective of fibrosis such as cholestasis, congestion, inflammation, or an increase of arterial pressure. Aims: To learn more about LS during exercise in humans, a condition known to increase arterial pressure and cardiac output. Methods: 12 volunteers (all male, age 23 – 48 years) with normal laboratory testing and normal abdominal ultrasound underwent an exercise electrocardiogram for 10 m…