Yonsei Med J.  2016 Jan;57(1):146-152. 10.3349/ymj.2016.57.1.146.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome May Be Associated with Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase and Metabolic Syndrome

• Lee SH
• Kim KN
• Kim KM
• Joo NS

• KMID: 2466364
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2016.57.1.146

Abstract

PURPOSE
Recent studies have revealed close relationships between hepatic injury, metabolic pathways, and gut microbiota. The microorganisms in the intestine also cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to examine whether IBS was associated with elevated hepatic enzyme [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) levels, and metabolic syndrome (MS).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, case-control study. The case and control groups comprised subjects who visited our health promotion center for general check-ups from June 2010 to December 2010. Of the 1127 initially screened subjects, 83 had IBS according to the Rome III criteria. The control group consisted of 260 age- and sex-matched subjects without IBS who visited our health promotion center during the same period.
RESULTS
Compared to control subjects, patients with IBS showed significantly higher values of anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist circumference), liver enzymes, gamma-GT, and lipid levels. The prevalences of elevated ALT (16.9% vs. 7.7%; p=0.015) and gamma-GT (24.1% vs. 11.5%; p=0.037) levels were significantly higher in patients with IBS than in control subjects. A statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of MS between controls and IBS patients (12.7% vs. 32.5%; p<0.001). The relationships between elevated ALT levels, MS, and IBS remained statistically significant after controlling for potential confounding factors.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of our study results, IBS may be an important condition in certain patients with elevated ALT levels and MS.

Keyword

Irritable bowel syndrome; liver enzymes; metabolic syndrome

MeSH Terms

Adult
Alanine Transaminase/analysis/*metabolism
Aspartate Aminotransferases/analysis/*metabolism
Body Mass Index
Case-Control Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome/diagnosis/*enzymology/epidemiology
Liver/metabolism
Male
Metabolic Syndrome X/complications/diagnosis/*enzymology/epidemiology
Middle Aged
Obesity/epidemiology
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Waist Circumference
gamma-Glutamyltransferase/analysis/*metabolism
Alanine Transaminase
Aspartate Aminotransferases
gamma-Glutamyltransferase

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Prevalences of elevated ALT and γ-GT levels and metabolic syndrome in IBS patients and control subjects. Elevated ALT and γ-GT were defined as >41 IU/L for males and >31 IU/L for females for ALT and >66 IU/L for males and >39 IU/L for females for γ-GT. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined as the presence of three or more of the guidelines of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) Scientific Statement published in 2005. A significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to ALT (16.9% vs. 7.7%; p=0.015), γ-GT (24.1% vs. 11.5%; p=0.037), and MS (32.5% vs. 12.7%; p<0.001). IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; γ-GT, gamma-glutamyl transferase.

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