The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

The association between common C677T mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and the risk of venous thrombosis in an Iranian population

Background: Venous thrombosis is a multicausal disease involving acquired and genetic factors. The prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes and its association with venous thrombosis is not established in the Iranian population. In this study we investigated a possible association between fasting hyperhomocysteinemia and C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene with venous thrombosis. Materials and Methods: We studied 200 venous thrombotic patients and 100 healthy controls, of similar age and sex. Mutation analysis was carried out by PCR-RFLP, and the homocysteine level was measured by EIA. Results: No significant differences in the frequency of C677T genotypes were observed between patients and controls (P=0.2). The frequency of the T allele was 21 and 27.2 in controls and patients, respectively (odds ratio, 1.27; 95 CI, 0.83-1.94, P=0.15). Fasting homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients than controls (P=0.001). Conclusions: We concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia, but not MTHFR C677T mutation, is a significant risk factor for venous thrombosis in the Iranian population, and measuring the level of homocysteine is less expensive and more useful than the genetic test for the MTHFR mutation