title: Alanine amino transferase concentrations are linked to folate intakes and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism in obese adolescent girls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the consequences of low dietary folate intake and the impact of the 677 C-->T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) common mutation on liver function in obese adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven obese girls (BMI = 36.1 +/- 6.0 kg/m) aged 14.1 +/- 1.5 years were included before starting a weight reduction program. Dietary intakes for folate were assessed by means of an adapted food frequency questionnaire (n = 50). Liver enzymes, plasma lipids, glucose metabolism parameters, ferritin, homocysteine and erythrocyte folate content were measured in plasma or blood obtained under fasting conditions. The MTHFR 677 C-->T polymorphism, which is associated with decreased enzyme activity, was determined using PCR. Body composition was assessed using dual x-ray absorptiometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three subjects were heterozygote (CT) for the mutation and 5 were homozygote (TT). An increase in alanine amino transferase (ALT) and ALT/aspartate aminotransferase ratio was associated with the mutation (F = 4.46, P = 0.016 and F = 5.92, P = 0.0049, respectively). Alanine amino transferase was correlated negatively to folate intake (r = -0.32, P = 0.024) (n = 50) and positively to homocysteine concentrations (r = 0.30, P = 0.025). Body composition was similar among the 3 genotypic groups. Ferritin was also correlated to ALT concentrations of the entire group (P = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that folate intake and the MTHFR polymorphism represent a part of the link between antioxidant status and liver disease in obese adolescent girls.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Therapy Center, Margency, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Laure
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Frelut
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Emery-Fillon
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Guilland
authors.forename: Hunh Han
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Dao
authors.forename: Geneviève Potier
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: de Courcy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase