Serum lipid profile, liver function indices and electrolyte levels in diabetics and subjects with hepatic impairment in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Abstract

This study investigated serum lipid profile, liver function indices and electrolyte levels in diabetics and hepatitics in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. 210 subjects comprising 70 subjects each for diabetics, hepatitics, and control matched for age and sex were sampled for the purpose of the study based upon specified criteria. 45 each were males while 25 each were females. Mean alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities, respectively, were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the diabetics (22 U/L, 30 U/L, 91 U/L, and 12 U/L respectively) and hepatitics (86 U/L, 161 U/L, 113 U/L, and 50 U/L respectively); mean triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels respectively, were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the diabetics (1.8 mmol/L, 4.6 mmol/L, and 2.6 mmol/L respectively) and hepatitics (1.4 mmol/L, 3.6 mmol/L, and 1.8 mmol/L respectively) except the hepatitics mean LDL-C level, whereas mean high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level was significantly reduced (p≥0.05) in the diabetics (1.2 mmol/L) and hepatitics (1.0 mmol/L). Mean sodium and potassium levels were significantly reduced (p≥0.05) in the diabetics (135 mmol/L and 3.5 mmol/L respectively). Mean sodium level was reduced in the hepatitics while mean potassium level was elevated in the hepatitics. Mean bicarbonate level was significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the diabetics (28 mmol/L) but slightly elevated in the hepatitics. Conclusively, differences in lipids, electrolyte levels and liver function indices found in diabetics and hepatitics have a great potential as a diagnostic means in clinical practice.

Keywords: Lipid profile, Diabetics, Hepatitics, Diagnostic means, Clinical practice