Alanine aminotransferase and high sensitivity C-reactive protein: correlates of cardiovascular risk factors in youth.

OBJECTIVE: The association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with clinical/metabolic variables was evaluated in overweight Brazilian children and adolescents.

STUDY DESIGN: Oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 407 students (273 overweight/obese, 11.3 +/- 3.1 y). Measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, lipids, insulin, hs-CRP, and ALT. Overweight/obese was defined using BMI z-score; insulin resistance (IR) by homeostatic model assessment: insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); and metabolic syndrome (MS) in accordance with the modified NCEP-ATPIII.

RESULTS: As weight increased, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), triglycerides (TG), insulin, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, ALT, ALT, hs-CRP, and AST and the number of MS components (nMSc) also increased (P
CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous measurements of ALT and hs-CRP should be considered as a screening test for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight/obese children/adolescents.