Serum alanine aminotransferase levels decrease further with carbohydrate than fat restriction in insulin-resistant adults.
OBJECTIVE
Although weight loss interventions have been shown to reduce steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the impact of dietary macronutrient composition is unknown. We assessed the effect on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations of two hypocaloric diets varying in amounts of carbohydrate and fat in obese insulin-resistant individuals, a population at high risk for NAFLD.


METHODS
Post hoc analysis of ALT concentrations was performed in 52 obese subjects with normal baseline values and insulin resistance, as quantified by the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) test, who were randomized to hypocaloric diets containing either 60% carbohydrate/25% fat or 40% carbohydrate/45% fat (15% protein) for 16 weeks. The primary end point was change in ALT, which was evaluated according to diet, weight loss, SSPG, and daylong insulin concentrations.


RESULTS
Although both diets resulted in significant decreases in weight and SSPG, daylong insulin, and serum ALT concentrations, the 40% carbohydrate diet resulted in greater decreases in SSPG (P < 0.04), circulating insulin (P < 0.01), and ALT (9.5 +/- 9.4 vs. 4.2 +/- 8.3 units/l; P < 0.04) concentrations. ALT changes correlated with improvement in insulin sensitivity (P = 0.04) and daylong insulin (P < 0.01). Individuals with ALT concentrations above the proposed upper limits experienced significant declines in ALT, unlike those with lower ALT levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In a population at high risk for NAFLD, a hypocaloric diet moderately lower in carbohydrate decreased serum ALT concentrations to a greater degree than a higher-carbohydrate/low-fat diet, despite equal weight loss. This may result from a relatively greater decline in daylong insulin concentrations. Further research with histological end points is needed to further explore this finding.
Ryan
Marno Celeste
MC
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, 300 Pasteur Dr., Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5406, USA. mryan@cvmed.stanford.edu
Abbasi
Fahim
F
Lamendola
Cindy
C
Carter
Susan
S
McLaughlin
Tracey Lynn
TL
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D000410:Alanine Transaminase