The Associations Between Alanine Aminotransferase and Other Biochemical Parameters in Lean PCOS

Abstract

To explore the associations of alanine aminotransferase in lean women of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with other biochemical parameters and the potential risk factors. This is a retrospective cohort study with lean PCOS (n = 91) and healthy controls (n = 45); we reviewed the electrical records and databases of the PCOS patients in our infertility clinic between January 2019 and September 2021; independent t-test, linear correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to explore the associations. Higher levels of luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone, platelet count, lymphocyte count, homocysteine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and uric acid were identified in lean PCOS patients, while follicle-stimulating hormone level was lower in in lean PCOS as expected (P < 0.05). Of note, the linear correlation showed that BMI, total testosterone, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, aspartate aminotransferase, and uric acid were positively associated with alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.232, 0.318, 0.218, 0.388, 0.602, 0.353 respectively, P < 0.05). After multiple linear regression was performed, total testosterone and aspartate aminotransferase were independently and positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase in lean PCOS (B = 0.251, 0.605 respectively, P < 0.05). Higher level of ALT was identified in the lean PCOS. BMI, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, and total testosterone were positively correlated with ALT in lean PCOS. Total testosterone and aspartate aminotransferase were independently and positively associated with ALT in lean PCOS after multiple linear regression. There might exist a potential risk of afflicting liver impairment for the lean PCOS women in the earlier period. Early examination and intervention might be necessary to prevent or delay the progression of the liver disease as soon as the diagnosis of PCOS.

Keywords: Alanine aminotransferase; Associations; Liver damage; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Total testosterone.

Fig. 1

The specific differences of BMI, lymphocyte count, total testosterone, uric acid, AST, and white blood cell count between every two groups of the ALT tertiles in lean PCOS women. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; WBC, white blood cell count; BMI, body mass index; UA, uric acid; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; tertiles of ALT: 1, lower level of ALT group; 2, middle level of ALT group; 3, higher level of ALT group