Analysis of the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase and body composition in Chinese women.

Objective:To investigate the relationships between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and body composition among postmenopausal women in China. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with 776 postmenopausal women in China from May to July 2008. Clinical information was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Measures of body composition were obtained using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Body lean mass and fat mass indices were calculated by dividing total body lean/fat weight (kg) by body height squared (kg/m 2Results:We found negative relationships of serum ALT with age, menopause duration, and serum HDL-C levels. Serum ALT was positively correlated with BMI, serum TG levels, and the lean mass index and fat mass index. In a multivariate model adjusted for age, menopause duration, serum TG, and HDL-C levels, a 1-unit increase in the fat mass index was associated with a 0.176 U/L increase in ALT (95% CI 0.020 to 0.050, PConclusion:Serum ALT was positively associated with the body fat mass index of postmenopausal women in China.