Assessment of the relationship between serum uric acid levels and liver enzymes activity in Bangladeshi adults

Noyan Hossain Molla,Nurshad Ali,Firoz Mahmud,Ananya Dutta Mou,Abu Hasan Sumon,Zitu Barman,Akibul Hasan,Khandaker Atkia Fariha,Rahanuma Raihanu Kathak

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-99623-z

Noyan Hossain Molla, Nurshad Ali + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99623-z

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Abstract

Serum uric acid (SUA) level has been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the relationship between SUA and liver enzymes activity in the general population. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between SUA and serum liver enzymes in an adult population in Bangladesh. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 410 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy adults aged > 18 years. SUA, liver enzymes, lipid profile and other biochemical markers were measured in the collected samples by using standard methods. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between SUA and elevated levels of liver enzymes among the participants. Overall, the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 30.1% with 32.2% in male and 18.6% in female participants. About 33% of the participants had at least one or more elevated levels of liver enzymes. The mean level of SUA was significantly higher in males (389.3 ± 96.9 µmol/L) than in the female (290.4 ± 89.8 µmol/L) subjects (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the mean levels of serum ALT and GGT between the male (34.5 ± 16.0 U/L and 26.7 ± 19.5 U/L, respectively) and female (25.0 ± 13.0 U/L and 19.5 ± 13.2 U/L, respectively) participants (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). An increasing trend was observed in the mean levels of serum ALT and GGT across the SUA quartile groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). SUA showed a positive and significant correlation with serum ALT (p < 0.001) and GGT (p < 0.01). In further statistical analysis after adjustment for potential confounders, SUA showed an independent and significant association with serum ALT and GGT in all regression models. In conclusion, SUA was strongly associated with serum levels of ALT and GGT after adjustment for potential confounders. More prospective studies are needed to clarify the complex relationship between SUA and liver enzymes in the general population.

Highlights

Serum uric acid (SUA) level has been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Elevated levels of serum ALT, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) are associated with various risk factors for diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases such as hyperglycemia, obesity, dyslipidemia and increased blood pressure
The mean level of SBP, serum uric acid (SUA), ALT, AST and GGT were significantly higher in males than in the female participants

Summary

Introduction

Serum uric acid (SUA) level has been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between SUA and serum liver enzymes in an adult population in Bangladesh. Elevated levels of serum ALT, and GGT are associated with various risk factors for diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases such as hyperglycemia, obesity, dyslipidemia and increased blood pressure. Since SUA and liver enzymes, especially ALT and GGT, have been associated with various conditions, including increased blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, NAFLD and metabolic syndrome, these parameters are likely to demonstrate relationships with each other. A recent study showed a significant positive association and dose-dependent relationship between SUA and the prevalence of NAFLD in nonobese postmenopausal population in China[23]. The elevated SUA concentration, even within the normal range showed an association with increased ALT in Chinese a dults[24]

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