Normal range of alanine aminotransferase concentration is associated with carotid atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether alanine aminotransferase (ALT), even within the reference range, is associated with atherosclerotic burden in apparently healthy adults.


METHODS
This was an observational study performed on 830 healthy individuals with normal ALT concentration (<or=40U/L). Atherosclerotic burden was assessed by carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT). All subjects were divided according to the quartile based on their ALT concentrations.


RESULTS
Despite all subjects having a normal ALT concentration, ultrasonographic liver steatosis was observed in 48.4% and 36.7% of men and women, respectively. In both genders, subjects in the highest quartile of ALT concentration had a significantly higher waist circumference, triglyceride concentration, HOMA-IR, a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and a greater severity of ultrasonographic liver steatosis than did those in the lower quartiles. In women, the carotid IMT increased significantly with increasing quartiles of ALT concentration (0.62+/-0.14mm, 0.66+/-0.15mm, 0.69+/-0.15mm, vs. 0.72+/-0.24mm; P for trend<0.001). Based on multivariate regression analysis, the serum ALT, even within the normal range, was associated with the carotid IMT in both men and women, and independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
ALT concentrations, albeit within the reference range, were associated with atherosclerotic burden in healthy adults.
Kim
Soo-Kyung
SK
Department of Internal Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea. imdrksk@chollian.net
Kim
Dae-Jung
DJ
Kim
Se-Hwa
SH
Lee
Yeo-Kyung
YK
Park
Seok-Won
SW
Cho
Yong-Wook
YW
Huh
Kap-Bum
KB
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology
D000410:Alanine Transaminase