Background: Insulin resistance and adipocytokines have been associated with fatty liver and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The aim of our study was to study the influence of insulin resistance and adipocytokines in obese patients on elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
Methods: A population of 214 female obese patients was studied cross-sectionally. HOMA-IR was calculated as indicator of insulin resistance. Adipocytokines (leptin, resistin, adiponectin, interleukin-6, and TNF-alpha) blood levels were measured.
Results: The mean age and body mass index of our study group was 38.2+/-14.7 years and 35.27+/-6.5, respectively. HOMA and leptin levels were higher in the third ALT tertile than in the first ALT tertile. Adiponectin level was higher in the first tertile than in the second and third tertiles. These parameters show statistical differences between the second and third ALT tertiles. In the multiple regresion analysis with a dependent variable (ALT) and the statistical univariant variables as independent variables, the HOMA-IR remained in the model with an increase of 0.27 U/L of ALT (CI 95%, 0.6-3.4) (F=8.1; p<0.05) with each 1 unit of HOMA-IR adjusted by age, weight, and dietary intake.
Conclusions: Some metabolic parameters are associated with elevated ALT in obese female patients. However, adjusted by other variables, only insulin resistance remained associated.