Role of insulin resistance and adipocytokines on serum alanine aminotransferase in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to study the association of insulin resistance expressed by HOMA and adipokines in obese type 2 diabetic patients with or without hyper-transaminasemia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A population of 72 obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was analyzed. HOMA-IR was calculated as indicator of insulin-resistance. Adipocytokines blood levels were measured. RESULTS: Patients were classified as group I (n=37) when serum ALT activity was normal or group II (NAFLD patients n=35) when serum ALT activity was greater than the median value of the group (≥ 28 UI/L). In NAFLD group, BMI, weight, fat mass, waist to hip ratio, waist circumference, triglycerides, HOMA and insulin levels were higher than control group. In the logistic regression analysis with a dependent variable (ALT) and the statistical univariant variables as independent variables, the HOMA-IR remained in the model, with an Odd's ratio of 1.21 (CI95% 1.11-1.35) to have a high ALT level with each 1 unit of HOMA-IR adjusted by age, sex, weight, and dietary intake. CONCLUSIONS: Some metabolic parameters are associated with elevated ALT in female obese patients. However, adjusted by other variables, only insulin resistance remained associated.