Analysis of the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase and body composition in Chinese women.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and body composition among postmenopausal women in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 776 postmenopausal women in China from May to July 2008. Clinical information was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Measures of body composition were obtained using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Body lean mass and fat mass indices were calculated by dividing total body lean/fat weight (kg) by body height squared (kg/m). Blood samples were collected to assess liver and renal functions and lipid profiles. Analysis of variance, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression were used to analyze the associations between serum ALT and body composition.

Results: We found negative relationships of serum ALT with age, menopause duration, and serum HDL-C levels. Serum ALT was positively correlated with BMI, serum TG levels, and the lean mass index and fat mass index. In a multivariate model adjusted for age, menopause duration, serum TG, and HDL-C levels, a 1-unit increase in the fat mass index was associated with a 0.176 U/L increase in ALT (95% CI 0.020 to 0.050,  < 0.001).

Conclusion: Serum ALT was positively associated with the body fat mass index of postmenopausal women in China.