Exercise and Sarcopenia in Cirrhosis

Abstract

Cirrhosis is the end stage of every chronic liver disease, which leads to fibrosis and inflammation, resulting in a compromise of the structure and function of the liver [1]. Cirrhosis can cause a collapse of liver histology, modifying the vascular architecture of the organ and increasing the risk of cancer [2]. Besides the obvious consequences regarding the physiological function of the liver, cirrhosis might affect other tissues indirectly, like the muscular tissue. These patients might present a sensible loss of muscular mass, leading to clinically significant sarcopenia [3,4].