Pattern of Alpha Fetoprotein and Activities of Liver Enzymes in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, which has become health problem of global interest, linked to renal disease. The study is to assess the activities of some liver enzymes and alpha fetoprotein level in type 2 diabetic patients. 81 participants comprised 38 diabetics and 43 controls were randomly recruited. Informed, oral and written consent was obtained from the participants. Ethical approval was obtained. 6mls of fasting blood samples were collected. Plasma glucose, alpha feto-protein (AFP) levels; serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities were analyzed using standard laboratory methods. The results showed significantly increased plasma glucose level in the diabetics than in controls (p=0.000), as well as in male diabetics than in female diabetics (p=0.048). But, the mean age, AFP, ALT, AST, ALP and GGT activities were the same in the diabetics and the controls; and in male and female diabetics at p>0.05 in each case. Relatively strong positive significant correlation was observed between ALT Vs AST (r=0.566; p=0.000) and a weaker negative association exist between ALT Vs Age (r= -0.353; p=0.022) in diabetics but no associations were observed with other parameters studied. In conclusion the positive association between ALT and AST may reveal transaminase derangements in liver status of type 2 diabetic subjects studied.