Association between anthropometric indices and serum liver enzyme levels in Iranian older adults

Recent studies have highlighted a potential link between anthropometric indices and liver disorders. This association appears to be particularly relevant among older adults, where age-related physiological changes can intensify organ function impairments. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between anthropometric indices and liver enzyme profiles including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in Iranian older adults. Data for this study were collected during the enrollment phase of the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Anthropometric indices, including body fat mass (BFM), fat-free mass (FFM), visceral fat area, and waist-to-hip ratio, were obtained using the InBody 770 device. Serum levels of liver enzymes were measured with an auto analyzer (BT-1500). To assess the association between anthropometric indices and serum liver enzyme levels, linear and multiple regression models were applied. The multiple linear regression model showed no independent association between visceral fat area and waist-to-hip ratio with any of the assessed liver enzymes among underweight/normal and overweight/obese participants. However, our findings among overweight/obese participants indicated that for each 1.0 kg increase in FFM, serum ALP levels decreased by 0.62 U/L (95% confidence interval = −1.11 to −0.13), and for each 1.0 kg increase in BFM, serum AST increased by 0.03 U/L (95% confidence interval = 0.002 to 0.07). Our findings suggest that FFM and BFM may be associated with serum ALP and AST levels in overweight and obese older adults. However, prospective and interventional studies are needed to determine whether increasing FFM and decreasing BFM can influence liver enzyme concentrations.