title: Irritable Bowel Syndrome May Be Associated with Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase and Metabolic Syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent studies have revealed close relationships between hepatic injury, metabolic pathways, and gut microbiota. The microorganisms in the intestine also cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to examine whether IBS was associated with elevated hepatic enzyme [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) levels, and metabolic syndrome (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, case-control study. The case and control groups comprised subjects who visited our health promotion center for general check-ups from June 2010 to December 2010. Of the 1127 initially screened subjects, 83 had IBS according to the Rome III criteria. The control group consisted of 260 age- and sex-matched subjects without IBS who visited our health promotion center during the same period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to control subjects, patients with IBS showed significantly higher values of anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist circumference), liver enzymes, γ-GT, and lipid levels. The prevalences of elevated ALT (16.9% vs. 7.7%; p=0.015) and γ-GT (24.1% vs. 11.5%; p=0.037) levels were significantly higher in patients with IBS than in control subjects. A statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of MS between controls and IBS patients (12.7% vs. 32.5%; p<0.001). The relationships between elevated ALT levels, MS, and IBS remained statistically significant after controlling for potential confounding factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of our study results, IBS may be an important condition in certain patients with elevated ALT levels and MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seo-Hae Hospital, Seocheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. ktwonm@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Kyu Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Seok
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Joo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055105:Waist Circumference; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome; liver enzymes; metabolic syndrome