Hb and dyslipidaemia as predicting markers of serum alanine aminotransferase elevation in Chinese adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Fe is an essential element for erythropoiesis and Hb synthesis. High Hb levels affect the blood's viscosity and are associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to examine relationships of Hb and cardiometabolic abnormalities with the risk of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in adolescents.


METHODS
A population-based, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
National Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (2010-2011, adolescents).


METHODS
Healthy adolescents aged 13-18 years.


RESULTS
In total, 1941 adolescents (963 boys and 978 girls) were entered in the study. The mean age was 15·3 (sd 0·1) years (boys, 15·3 (sd 0·1) years; girls, 15·2 (sd 0·1) years). ALT tertile cut-off points for boys were 11 and 16 U/l, and for girls were 9 and 12 U/l. Girls without dyslipidaemia and presenting in the highest quartile (Q1) of Hb (>13·6 g/dl) were 1·89 and 3·76 times more likely to have raised serum ALT (9 and >12 U/l, respectively) than the reference (lowest quartile of Hb (Q1), 12 U/l) than the reference (Q1 of Hb, 15·4 g/dl), who were 7·40 times more likely to have elevated serum ALT of >16 U/l than the reference (Q1 of Hb, <14·1 g/dl).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that an increased Hb level is a predictor of elevated serum ALT in adolescent girls with dyslipidaemia. Our study also highlights the importance of further research to establish cut-off points for Hb and its utility in diagnosing and preventing the onset of dyslipidaemia in adolescents.
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Department of Internal Medicine,Taipei Medical University Hospital,Taipei,Taiwan,Republic of China.
Kuo-Ching
KC
Chao
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Department of Internal Medicine,Taipei Medical University Hospital,Taipei,Taiwan,Republic of China.
Chun-Chao
CC
Chang
3Institute of Food and Bioresources Technology,Dedan Kimathi University of Technology,Nyeri,Kenya.
Eddy
E
Owaga
4Department of Public Health,College of Medicine,Taipei Medical University,Taipei,Taiwan,Republic of China.
Chyi-Huey
CH
Bai
5School of Nutrition and Health Sciences,College of Public Health and Nutrition,Taipei Medical University,Taipei,Taiwan,Republic of China.
Tzu-chieh
TC
Huang
6Institute of Biomedical Sciences,Academia Sinica,Taipei,Taiwan,Republic of China.
Wen-Harn
WH
Pan
5School of Nutrition and Health Sciences,College of Public Health and Nutrition,Taipei Medical University,Taipei,Taiwan,Republic of China.
Jung-Su
JS
Chang
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D044466:Asian People; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014280:Triglycerides; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
Alanine aminotransferase; Dyslipidaemia; Hb; Liver function; Taiwanese adolescents