Insulin resistance and alanine amino transaminase (ALT) levels in first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus

IntroductionInsulin resistance is established as an independent predictor of a range of disorders such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. There is an association of hyperinsulinemia with hypertriglycerdemia, low level of HDL and high level of LDL. In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, there is an elevation of ALT, raising the possibility that the prospective relationship between ALT and type 2 diabetes may reflect cross-sectional associations with insulin resistance or obesity.Aim and objectiveTo find the significance of insulin resistance and alanine aminotransferase level in first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and methodsThe study included 50 first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes (25 men and 25 women) aged 20–60 years and 30 control of similar age. All cases were taken from SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai. All the cases were analyzed for HOMAIR, QUICKI, IR ratio, fasting glucose, insulin (ELISA), lipid profile and alanine aminotransferase. Student's ‘t’ test was applied for statistical analysis.ResultThe data show the significance of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) (2.76 ± 1.46, 1.35 ± 0.8, p < 0.001) in the first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus when compared with controls respectively and increased level fasting plasma insulin (12.28 ± 6.16, 6.12 ± 3.04, p < 0.001). In the lipid profile the total cholesterol and TAG are significant. No statistical significance was found in ALT (24.8 ± 9.84, 20.08 ± 11.02).ConclusionResults of the study conclude that there is a high prevalence of insulin resistance in the first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus. ALT levels in the first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus had increased levels of insulin resistance, the pathogenesis suggesting increase in ALT levels as seen in insulin resistance condition. In our study, ALT was not statistically significant.

► We correlated the insulin resistance and ALT levels between first degree relatives of type 2 diabetes mellitus and control.
► We found out that there was an increased insulin resistance.
► We observed slight elevation in ALT levels but was statistically insignificant.