FCHL (familial combined hyperlipidaemia), an entity with many features of the metabolic syndrome, is characterized by changes in cholesterol and triacylglycerol (triglyceride) phenotype over time. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels, used as a surrogate marker for the amount of hepatic fat, with the switch in triacylglycerol phenotype and the increased susceptibility to develop hypertriglyceridaemia in FCHL. BMI (body mass index), waist circumference and plasma triacylglycerols, insulin and ALT levels were measured in 145 FCHL family members and 54 spouses at baseline and after a 5-year follow-up. A switch from normotriglyceridaemia to hypertriglyceridaemia or vice versa, as observed in 22 of 145 FCHL family members, was associated with changes in plasma ALT levels (P=0.001), but not with insulin levels or waist circumference. At 5 years of follow-up, an intra-individual relationship was observed between waist circumference and plasma triacylglycerols, insulin and ALT levels. For each waist circumference, FCHL patients, but not their NL (normolipidaemic) relatives, exhibited higher triacylglycerol and insulin levels than spouses (P<0.001). Remarkably, both FCHL patients and the NL relatives had higher ALT levels for each waist circumference compared with spouses (P<0.001 for FCHL patients, and P=0.035 for NL relatives). In conclusion, the present study shows that the longitudinal relationship of abdominal obesity–ALT is more specific for all FCHL family members, i.e. patients and their NL relatives, than the relationship of abdominal obesity–triacylglycerols. Additionally, the association of ALT with the switch in triacylglycerol phenotype suggests a central role of the liver in the pathogenesis of FCHL.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
November 2007
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Research Article|
October 01 2007
Five-year follow-up of waist circumference, insulin and ALT levels in familial combined hyperlipidaemia
Martijn C. G. J. Brouwers;
*Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
†Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Correspondence: Dr Martijn C. G. J. Brouwers, Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands (email [email protected]).
Search for other works by this author on:
Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek;
Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek
*Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
†Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Search for other works by this author on:
Vicky M. M.-J. Vermeulen;
Vicky M. M.-J. Vermeulen
*Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
†Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Search for other works by this author on:
Josephine M. J. P. van Lin;
Josephine M. J. P. van Lin
*Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
†Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Search for other works by this author on:
Carla J. H. van der Kallen;
Carla J. H. van der Kallen
*Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
†Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Search for other works by this author on:
Tjerk W. A. de Bruin
Tjerk W. A. de Bruin
1
*Department of Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
†Laboratory of Molecular Metabolism and Endocrinology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 27 2007
Revision Received:
May 09 2007
Accepted:
June 12 2007
Accepted Manuscript online:
June 12 2007
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Biochemical Society
2007
Clin Sci (Lond) (2007) 113 (9): 375–381.
Article history
Received:
March 27 2007
Revision Received:
May 09 2007
Accepted:
June 12 2007
Accepted Manuscript online:
June 12 2007
Connected Content
This is a commentary on:
Familial combined hyperlipidaemia: how can genetic disorders be common, complex and comprehensible?
Citation
Martijn C. G. J. Brouwers, Marleen M. J. van Greevenbroek, Vicky M. M.-J. Vermeulen, Josephine M. J. P. van Lin, Carla J. H. van der Kallen, Tjerk W. A. de Bruin; Five-year follow-up of waist circumference, insulin and ALT levels in familial combined hyperlipidaemia. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 November 2007; 113 (9): 375–381. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20070101
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
Cited By
Open Access for all
We offer compliant routes for all authors from 2025. With library support, there will be no author nor reader charges in 5 journals. Check here |
![]() |