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- Title
Alanine Transaminase in Adolescence Is Predicted by Adiposity, Free Fatty Acids and Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha.
- Authors
Conwell, Louise S.; Coombes, Jeff S.; Batch, Jennifer A.
- Abstract
The study aimed to assess the relationship between alanine transaminase (ALT) and proposed aetiological factors in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These factors include adiposity, insulin resistance, free fatty acids (FFA), inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and oxidative stress. A cross-sectional comparative study of obese (n=20) and normal weight (n=36) adolescent subjects, aged 12-18 years was conducted. Parameters assessed included alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), adiposity (BMI, waist circumference and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), FFA, triglycerides, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, adiponectin, endogenous antioxidant status (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) and oxidative stress (free 8 isoprostane). Of all the subjects, only one (obese) had ALT and AST values above the reference range. For the remainder, the mean ALT of the obese group was higher than that of the control group, although all within the reference range. The geometric means (95% CO were 22.8 (16.7-31.1)"and 14.8 (13.7-16.2) respectively (P=0.011). Independent predictors for ALT were adiposity, FFA and TNF-α, explaining 49% of the variance. In conclusion, obese adolescents may have relatively increased ALT levels compared to normal-weight peers, the majority within the laboratory reference range. Adverse hepatic pathological effects may already be occurring, potentially increasing the risk of NAFLD. Factors postulated to play a role in the aetiology of NAFLD, such as FFA and TNF-α may be determinants from a young age.
- Subjects
AMINOTRANSFERASES; LIVER diseases; ETIOLOGY of diseases; OBESITY; FATTY acids; TUMOR necrosis factors; TEENAGERS
- Publication
Diabetes, 2007, Vol 56, pA696
- ISSN
0012-1797
- Publication type
Article