Assessment of the Relationship of Hepatic Enzymes with Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Adults in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the relationship of hepatic enzymes and serum albumin to obesity and insulin resistance in adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A comparative study of 136 Saudi adults, comprising of 68 obese and 68 non-obese was conducted. Anthropometric measurements, hepatic enzymes, serum albumin, blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) were measured. Results: The study showed significantly higher levels of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and HOMA IR p < 0.001, <0.004 < 0.005, <0.0001, <0.0001, among obese subjects. Hepatic enzymes correlated with both anthropometric measures (body mass index (BMI), and waist to hip ratio) and markers of insulin resistance (HOMA IR, insulin, and fasting glucose). However, the study found that GGT had the strongest associations. Significant inverse correlation was found between serum albumin and BMI, HOMA IR, and serum insulin, p< 0.01, <0.05, <0.01, respectively. Conclusion: Deranged liver functions, especially GGT, had the strongest correlations with obesity and HOMA IR. GGT might be a better marker of hepatic pathology associated with obesity and insulin resistance in Saudi adults with restricted alcohol intake. The results also propose that albumin metabolism might be altered in obesity.