title: Sarcopenia is a risk factor for elevated aminotransferase in men independently of body mass index, dietary habits, and physical activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aminotransferase activity is a surrogate marker of liver injury showing strong correlations with obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, elevated aminotransferase activity is not uncommon in non-obese and non-alcoholic patients in clinical practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between sarcopenia and aminotransferase activity in a large population-based cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examinations were used. A total of 13,431 subjects were included. A whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry scan was performed on each patient to measure total and regional muscle mass. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass indices were also obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in the group with elevated aminotransferase levels than in the normal liver enzyme group (males: 26.5% vs. 16.9%; females: 38.3% vs. 22.1%, p<0.05). The skeletal muscle index was negatively correlated with most cardiometabolic risk factors, including fasting glucose and cholesterol levels. The frequency of elevated aminotransferase increased in male patients with sarcopenia after adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, body mass index, fasting glucose level, dietary, and exercise habits. However, the correlation was no longer observed in women after adjusting for body mass index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sarcopenia is a risk factor for elevated aminotransferase in men, independently of body mass index, dietary habits, and physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Deok
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: noshin@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Dae Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kang Nyeong
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hang Lak
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Oh Young
authors.initials: OY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Soon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000637:Transaminases
keywords: Alanine aminotransferase; Aspartate aminotransferase; Muscle mass; Sarcopenia; Skeletal muscle index