title: Associations between arterial structure and function and serum levels of liver enzymes in obese adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the structural and functional alterations of systemic arteries in obese adolescents and their relationships with adiposity, metabolic and lipid profile, and serum liver enzyme levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid stiffness index, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were measured in 56 obese adolescents and 58 lean controls. Obese adolescents had additional liver ultrasound and determination of fasting blood indices of glucose metabolism and lipid profile, and serum levels of liver enzymes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carotid IMT (P < 0.0001), carotid stiffness index (P < 0.0001) and baPWV (P = 0.001) were significantly greater in obese than control subjects. Thirty-seven (66%) obese subjects had fatty liver changes and their aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were significantly higher than those without (all P < 0.05). Univariate analyses showed positive correlations between serum ALT (r = 0.29, P = 0.03) and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.28, P = 0.04) levels and carotid IMT, aspartate aminotransferase level and carotid stiffness (r = 0.41, P = 0.002), and gamma-glutamyl transferase level and baPWV (r = 0.34, P = 0.02) in obese subjects. Multivariate linear regression revealed serum ALT level (β = 0.02, P = 0.006) as an independent correlate of carotid stiffness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obese adolescents have increased carotid IMT and stiffness, which are associated positively with serum liver enzyme levels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Elim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Man
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Pik-To
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Yiu-Fai
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: arterial stiffness; intima media thickness; liver enzymes; paediatric obesity