High Liver Enzyme Concentrations are Associated with Higher Glycemia, but not with Glycemic Variability, in Individuals without Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

BackgroundElevated concentrations of liver enzymes have been associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it remains unclear to which specific aspects of diurnal glucose metabolism these associate most. We aimed to investigate the associations between liver enzyme concentrations and 24 h-glucose trajectories in individuals without diabetes mellitus from three independent cohorts.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 436 participants without diabetes mellitus from the Active and Healthy Aging Study, the Switchbox Study, and the Growing Old Together Study. Fasting blood samples were drawn to measure gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase. Measures of glycemia (e.g., nocturnal and diurnal mean glucose levels) and glycemic variability (e.g., mean amplitude of glucose excursions) were derived from continuous glucose monitoring. Analyses were performed separately for the three cohorts; derived estimates were additionally meta-analyzed.ResultsAfter meta-analyses of the three cohorts, elevated liver enzyme concentrations, and specifically elevated GGT concentrations, were associated with higher glycemia. More specific, participants in the highest GGT tertile (GGT ≥37.9 U/L) had a 0.39 mmol/L (95% confidence interval: 0.23, 0.56) higher mean nocturnal glucose (3:00 to 6:00 a.m.) and a 0.23 mmol/L (0.10, 0.36) higher diurnal glucose (6:00 to 0:00 a.m.) than participants in the lowest GGT tertile (GGT <21.23 U/L). However, elevated liver enzyme concentrations were not associated with a higher glycemic variability.ConclusionThough elevated liver enzyme concentrations did not associate with higher glycemic variability in participants without diabetes mellitus, specifically, elevated GGT concentrations associated with higher glycemia.

Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Therapy Aided by Curcumin-Laden Double-Headed Nanoparticles Combined with Injectable Long-Acting Insulin in a Rodent Model of Diabetes Eye Disease

“…However, literature reports suggest that islet number is the major determinant of α- and β-cell mass than the size. , The glucose data further corroborates with significant increases in hepatic enzymes, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Liver enzymes play an important role in glucose homeostasis, increased level of liver enzymes associated with higher glycemia, increased liver glucose, and reduced glycogen accumulation in the diabetic group, which was improved by treatment except for CUR, while nCUR+INS had a more prominent effect. Increased liver α-amylase expression indicates chances of fat accumulation, and nCUR and nCUR+INS improved these changes.…”

High Adiposity Is Associated With Higher Nocturnal and Diurnal Glycaemia, but Not With Glycemic Variability in Older Individuals Without Diabetes

“…On the basis of the retrieved glucose trajectories, we calculated multiple indices of glycemia and glycemic variability for each participant. We calculated three indices of glycemia, notably 72-h mean glucose concentration, the mean diurnal glucose concentration (6:00 a.m. to 0:00 a.m.), and the mean nocturnal glucose level (3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.), as being previously used ( 21 – 23 ). Indices of glycemic variability were the 72-h SD mean amplitude of glucose excursion (MAGE), and the mean of daily difference (MODD).…”

Polyester Nanoparticles with Controlled Topography for Peroral Drug Delivery Using Insulin as a Model Protein

“…Plasma ALP levels were significantly lower in the P2Ns-4C-GA and INS groups (Figure f), whereas there was no significant difference between the treated and diabetic groups for AST (Figure e). ALT is a more specific liver enzyme than AST and ALP (both of which are expressed in other organs). , Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) was also analyzed, as high plasma GGT levels indicate liver damage seen in NAFLD and liver adiposity. , In this study, plasma GGT concentrations in the terminal plasma were significantly lower in groups P2Ns-2C-GA and P2Ns-4C-GA than in the diabetic group (Figure g). Data from liver panels indicate that treatment with INS-laden nanoparticles significantly improves liver function, particularly in ligand-coated nanoparticle groups.…”