Association of raised liver transaminases with physical inactivity, increased waist-hip ratio, and other metabolic morbidities in severely obese children.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with raised alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and gamma-glutaryl transferase in severely obese children


METHODS
In all, 201 children with early-onset obesity and greater than 140% ideal weight for height were recruited. Anthropometric and body fat measurements, fasting blood tests, and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed.


RESULTS
The mean and standard deviation (SD) for age was 11.1 (3.0) years, for weight for height 170.5% (22.7%), and for percentage body fat was 40.7% (5.2%). Elevated liver transaminases were present in 53 subjects (26.4%), who were therefore at risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.144, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.033-4.448), Chinese ethnicity (OR 2.062, 95% CI 1.038-4.096), reduced physical activity (OR 2.389, 95% CI 1.163-4.909), insulin resistance (P < 0.05), elevated triglyceride levels (P = 0.029), and increased waist-hip ratio (P = 0.005). Stepwise logistic regression analysis of the main factors as covariates revealed Chinese ethnicity, waist-hip ratio, reduced physical activity, and homeostasis model assessment index were significant predictors. Alanine transaminase/aspartate transaminase were not well correlated with percentage body fat and weight for height. Subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance were more likely to have raised hepatic transaminases (OR 6.176, 95% CI 1.326-28.754). The severity of metabolic syndrome correlated with increasing aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and gamma-glutaryl transferase (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin resistance, truncal adiposity, and physical inactivity are major determinants potentially modifiable to reduce risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Increasing physical activity levels were associated with decreasing insulin resistance and transaminases, despite lack of correlation with waist-hip ratio, which supports the direct benefit of regular physical activity in preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Lee
Yung Seng
YS
Departments of Paediatrics, National University Hospital, Singapore. paeleeys@nus.edu.sg
Kek
Betty Lay Kee
BL
Poh
Larry Kok Seng
LK
Saw
Seang Mei
SM
Loke
Kah Yin
KY
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005006:Ethnicity; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000637:Transaminases; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase