THE RELATIONSHIP OF SERUM ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE TO ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN YOUNG HEALTHY ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: Increased arterial stiffness (AS), measured as increased pulse wave velocity (PWV), central blood pressure (BPao) has been considered as important aspect of vascular aging and independent risk factor for both cardiovascular events and overall mortality. The prevalence of obesity and other cardiometabolic disturbances among young adults has increased over the past decade. Few studies have investigated the relationship of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to AS and parameters of metabolic syndrome in young adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ALT and other metabolic risk factors, AS in young apparently healthy adults. Design and method: We investigated 179 healthy young nondrinkers, mean age 18,7 ± 1,9 years, 31% male. ALT, high density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides (TG), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting glucose (FG), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP) were measured using routine methods. PWV, BPao were measured with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device BPLab Vasotens (BPLab, Russia). Results: ALT was significantly related to PWV (r = 0.19; P < 0.05), systolic BPao (r = 0.33; P < 0.0001), systolic BP (r = 0.38; P < 0.0001), BMI (r = 0.42; P < 0.0001), WC (r = 0.49; P < 0.0001), FG (r = 0.19; P = 0,022), HOMA-IR (r = 0.48; P < 0.0001), HDL(r = - 0.39; P < 0.0001), TG (r = 0.42; P < 0.0001). ALT was an independent predictor of systolic BPao, but not PWV in a multiple stepwise regression model. Conclusions: In young healthy adults ALT even within normal range is positively associated with arterial stiffness.