title: Markers of the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome as predictors of mortality in renal transplant recipients.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Metabolic syndrome (MS) is highly prevalent in RTRs. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the hepatic component of MS. We investigated associations of NAFLD markers with MS and mortality. RTRs were investigated between 2001 and 2003. NAFLD markers, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were measured. Bone and nonbone fractions of AP were also determined. Death was recorded until August 2007. Six hundred and two RTRs were studied (age 52+/-12 years, 55% men). At baseline 388 RTRs had MS. Prevalence of MS was positively associated with liver enzymes. During follow-up for 5.3[4.5-5.7] years, 95 recipients died (49 cardiovascular). In univariate Cox regression analyses, GGT (HR=1.43[1.21-1.69], p<0.001) and AP (HR=1.34[1.11-1.63], p=0.003) were associated with mortality, whereas ALT was not. Similar associations were found for cardiovascular mortality. Adjustment for potential confounders, including MS, diabetes and traditional risk factors did not materially change these associations. Results for nonbone AP mirrored that for total AP. ALT, GGT and AP are associated with MS. Of these three enzymes, GGT and AP are associated with mortality, independent of MS. These findings suggest that GGT and AP are independently related to mortality in RTRs.
authors: Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Zelle
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Corpeleijn
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: van Ree
authors: R P
authors: RP
authors: Stolk
authors: E
authors: E
authors: van der Veer
authors: R O B
authors: RO
authors: Gans
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Homan van der Heide
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Navis
authors: S J L
authors: SJ
authors: Bakker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase