Correlation of Hepatic Enzymes with Lipid Profile in Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Background & objective: Childhood and adolescent obesity have emerged as significant global health challenges, serving as major risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dyslipidemia. In Bangladesh, the rising prevalence of adolescent obesity necessitates early screening markers for hepatic and metabolic complications. This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum hepatic enzymes (ALT and AST) and lipid profile parameters in obese adolescents. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, involving 52 obese adolescents (BMI = 95th percentile for age and sex) aged 10–19 years. Biochemical analysis included serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and a full lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL, and HDL). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, employing Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the correlation between variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 14.5 ± 2.6 years. Elevated ALT (= 40 U/L) was observed in 30.8% of subjects, while hypertriglyceridemia (= 130 mg/dl) was highly prevalent (76.9%). Correlation analysis revealed that serum ALT had a significant positive correlation with total cholesterol (r = +0.365, p = 0.008) and triglycerides (r = +0.464, p < 0.001). Serum AST showed weak, non-significant correlations with lipid parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Serum ALT and AST levels are significantly elevated in obese adolescents and ALT shows a strong positive correlation with atherogenic lipid fractions (TC and TG). These findings suggest that monitoring hepatic enzymes, particularly ALT, alongside lipid profiles may serve as a crucial tool for the early prediction and management of future NAFLD risk in the obese pediatric population.

Ibrahim Card Med J 2025; 15 (2): 43-48