Yonsei Med J.  2017 Jul;58(4):731-736. 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.4.731.

Inverse Relationship between Hepatic Steatosis and Alanine Aminotransferase with Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Men

• Seo IH
• Lee HB
• Kim S
• Lee YJ
• Jung DH

• KMID: 2419077
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2017.58.4.731

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a serum glycoprotein produced predominantly in hepatocytes. As such, the synthesis of SHBG could be associated with liver function and metabolic syndrome. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels could reflect hepatocellular injury and insulin resistance; however, the relationship between hepatic steatosis and ALT with SHBG has not been investigated in humans. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between SHBG and hepatocyte damage among Korean male patients with hepatic steatosis enrolled in a health examination program.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study with 922 participants who underwent routine health examinations. A total of 922 men with or without hepatic steatosis were divided into three groups. We analyzed the risk of lower serum SHBG levels with or without elevated serum ALT levels using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
A significantly increased risk of lower serum SHBG level was observed in the group with hepatic steatosis and ALT elevation (95% CI 1.591-4.681).
CONCLUSION
In men with hepatic steatosis, we found that elevated serum ALT levels were associated with lower serum SHBG levels. This finding suggests that subjects with both hepatic steatosis and increased ALT should be considered to have low levels of SHBG.

Keyword

Sex hormone-binding globulin; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; alanine aminotransferase

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase/*metabolism
Cross-Sectional Studies
Fatty Liver/*enzymology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Reference Standards
Retrospective Studies
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin/*metabolism
Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
Alanine Transaminase

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Mean value of SHBG for the study population between reference group, hepatic steatosis group with ALT <40, and hepatic steatosis group with ALT ≥40. *p<0.01 by multiple co-variant ANOVA controlling for age, BMI, SBP, DBP, WBC, glucose, T3, cholesterol, HDL, and TG levels. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; SHBG, sex hormone-binding globulin; BMI, body mass index; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; WBC, white blood cell; HDL, high density lipoprotein; TG, triglyceride.

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