LIVER-ENZYME ACTIVITY AND BODY-MASS INDEX

Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for liver disease in a nu mber of cross-sectional studies. We investigated the association of bi ochemical liver tests (BLTs) among male employees of The Bow Chemical Company who had participated in two consecutive health surveillance ex aminations. The activity of three liver enzymes - alanine aminotransfe rase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyl transferase - wer e used as measures of liver injury. Body mass index was strongly assoc iated with increased enzyme activity in both examinations. Alcohol con sumption was similarly associated with each BLT after controlling for alcohol consumption, race, and age. When changes in the BLTs were inve stigated over time, the employees who gained weight showed a significa nt increase in alanine aminotransferase activity compared with those w ho did not gain weight.