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Serum Vitamin D Concentrations and Unexplained Elevation in ALT Among US Adults

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Abstract

Background

Low serum levels of vitamin D are associated with metabolic syndrome. Participants in NHANES III with unexplained elevation in ALT levels have high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that the serum concentrations of vitamin D were inversely associated with unexplained elevation in ALT.

Methods

A total of 6,826 fasting subjects underwent morning physical examination and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. From these participants, we have constructed cases with unexplained elevation in ALT (n = 308) and compared their serum vitamin D concentrations to matched controls with normal ALT (N = 979). We examined the prevalence of unexplained elevation in ALT level across different quartiles of vitamin D levels.

Results

Participants with unexplained elevation in ALT had significantly lower serum vitamin D levels compared to controls (61.8 ± 26.0 nmol/l vs. 66.8 ± 27.1 nmol/l, P < 0.01). The unadjusted prevalence of unexplained elevation in ALT in patients with highest to lowest quartiles of serum vitamin D levels were 21.4, 21.4, 25.6, and 31.5%, respectively. Compared to lowest quartile, patients with top two quartiles of serum vitamin D levels had significantly lower prevalence of unexplained elevation in ALT (OR, 95% CI for highest quartile 0.62 [0.43–0.89] and for third quartile 0.61 [0.42–0.86]). This relationship persisted even after controlling for metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and serum triglycerides.

Conclusions

This study suggests a significant inverse relationship between serum vitamin D levels and unexplained elevation in ALT. Further studies are needed to confirm this observation and to understand the basis for and implications of this observation.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Veterans Administration Young Investigator Award/Indiana Institute for Medical Research, K08 AA016570 from the NIH/NIAAA, Central Society for Clinical Research Career Development Award, and Research Support Fund Grant from IUPUI Office of Vice Chancellor for Research (all to S.L.) and K24DK069290 from NIH/NIDDK (to N.C.).

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No conflicts of interest exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 550 N. University Blvd, UH 4100, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5124, USA

    Suthat Liangpunsakul & Naga Chalasani

  2. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Suthat Liangpunsakul

Authors
  1. Suthat Liangpunsakul
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  2. Naga Chalasani
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Correspondence to Suthat Liangpunsakul.

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Liangpunsakul, S., Chalasani, N. Serum Vitamin D Concentrations and Unexplained Elevation in ALT Among US Adults. Dig Dis Sci 56, 2124–2129 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1707-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1707-x

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