Liver Function and Lipid Profile in adult Men in Eastern Zone of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are enzymes found mainly in the liver. When the liver is diseased or damaged, additional aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase are released into the blood stream, causing the levels of the enzymes to rise. Therefore, the amount of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in mammals is found mainly in the liver. Increase in serum alkaline phosphatase level is associated with malignant biliary obstruction, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, hepatic lymphoma and sarcoidosis. Cholesterol is component of plasma membranes. Triglycerides are found in adipose tissue, some triglycerides are stored in the blood to provide fuel for the muscles. This work was aimed at providing information on the values of liver function indices and lipid profile in apparently healthy ageing men residing within Kogi Eastern zone of Nigeria. This is as a result of the curiosity to know and make comparison between their parameters with those of the standard/reference or normal laboratory values. The subjects were divided into different groups 25 – 75 years and the mean and standard deviation of each parameter was calculated. Test for Liver function and lipid profile were carried out to determine the level of alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the alkaline phosphatase of group 6 (75 years and above) when compared to the standard while the AST and ALT showed no significant difference. The lipid profile showed no significant difference as they were in tandem with the reference values.

Keywords: Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein, Triacylglycerides, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase