Eating quickly is associated with a low aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio in middle-aged adults: a large-scale cross-sectional survey in Japan

Abstract

Background An elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a low aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to ALT ratio (AST/ALT ratio) suggest nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, increasing the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, eating quickly has been found to be associated with outcomes such as obesity. This study sought to investigate the relationship between eating quickly and an elevated ALT or a low AST/ALT ratio in Japanese middle-aged adults. Methods The present study included 283,073 adults aged 40–64 years who had annual health checkups in Japan from April 2013 to March 2014. The data of serum parameters and lifestyle factors, including eating speed, were analyzed. An elevated ALT was defined as > 40 U/L, and a low AST/ALT ratio was defined as < 1. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for an elevated ALT and a low AST/ALT ratio. Results Significantly increased ORs for an elevated ALT were observed in men (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.41–1.49) and women (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.25–1.43). Moreover, eating quickly significantly increased the ORs for a low AST/ALT ratio in men (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.50–1.56) and women (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.31–1.41). When the analysis was limited to those with ALT ≤40 U/L, eating quickly had significantly increased ORs for a low AST/ ALT ratio, regardless of sex. Conclusions Eating quickly was significantly associated with an elevated ALT and a low AST/ALT ratio. In addition, eating quickly was significantly associated with a low AST/ALT ratio even for those without ALT elevation. This study suggested that modification of eating speed may contribute to reducing the risk for an elevated ALT and a low AST/ALT ratio.

Longitudinal change in castration-resistant prostate cancer biomarker AST/ALT ratio reflects tumor progression

“…Furthermore, both studies con rmed an association of GOT1 with cancer progression and acquisition of castration resistance, and that its knockdown suppresses cancer progression. Another report noted that ALT, unlike AST, is produced exclusively in the liver and largely unaffected by other factors such as cancer, and may decrease with liver aging 32) . The present ndings that ALT was decreased and AST increased during long-term cancer treatment are consistent with those previous studies.…”

Longitudinal change in castration-resistant prostate cancer biomarker AST/ALT ratio reflects tumor progression

“…Furthermore, both studies confirmed an association of GOT1 with cancer progression and acquisition of castration resistance, and that its knockdown suppresses cancer progression. Another report noted that ALT, unlike AST, is produced exclusively in the liver and largely unaffected by other factors such as cancer, and may decrease with liver aging 32 . The present findings that ALT was decreased and AST increased during long-term cancer treatment are consistent with those previous studies.…”

Aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio and subsequent cancer development

“…ALT is a more liver‐specific measurement than AST. 19 People who experience hepatic aging, indicated by low ALT levels, may produce more free radicals and oxidative stress, 12 causing cancer. In addition, a previous study reported lower ALT levels in the sera of patients with invasive cancer cells.…”

“…Another hypothetical mechanism for the association is the pathophysiological mechanism. ALT is a more liver‐specific measurement than AST 19 . People who experience hepatic aging, indicated by low ALT levels, may produce more free radicals and oxidative stress, 12 causing cancer.…”