Is within-normal range liver enzymes associated with metabolic syndrome in adults?

BACKGROUND: Considering the clear association between metabolic syndrome and future cardiovascular disease, early detection of metabolic syndrome is important. This study was conducted to assess the correlation between metabolic syndrome components and within-normal-range of liver enzymes in Iranian adults.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 700 Iranian adults in the districts of East Azerbaijan-Iran in 2015. The levels of lipid profile and glucose were measured by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Weight, height, waist circumferences were measured with standard protocols. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were assessed using the ultraviolet method. The Pearson correlation and Logistic regression were used to for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: With increasing the number of metabolic abnormalities, the mean ALT level was increased significantly (Ptrend =0.04). In women, the increase in AST and ALT with increasing the number of metabolic abnormalities was statistically significant (PAST =0.01; PALT <0.001). In men, ALT level had significantly positive correlation with waist circumference (r=0.14, P<0.05), serum TG (r=0.16, P<0.05) and fasting plasma glucose (r=0.17, P<0.01). In women, there was a significant correlation between AST level and serum TG (r=0.15, P<0.05). A significant positive and negative correlation were found respectively between serum ALT and AST/ALT ratio and waist circumference, serum TG and fasting blood glucose. Women in the 4th quartile of ALT were 4.43 fold at an increased risk for metabolic syndrome outcome when compared to those in the first quartile [OR (95% CI): 4.43 (1.69, 11.63)]. In women, with increasing the quartiles of ALT within normal limits, the percent of participants with metabolic syndrome also increased significantly (Ptrend =0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, the use of ALT and AST:ALT ratio as continuous biomarkers for early signaling of dysmetabolism especially in women could be encouraged.