RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIVER BIOCHEMICAL TESTS AND DIETARY-INTAKE IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-DISEASE

Relationships between liver biochemical test values and reported frequ ency of consumption of various foods were examined using a principal-c omponent analysis of data from 42 patients with chronic liver disease. The statistical procedure identified relationships among biochemical and dietary variables. One relationship included the variables albumin , bilirubin, and frequency of intake of fruits and vegetables, search, and meats. A relationship was also found between serum alkaline phosp hatase (ALP) levels and fat/oil intake. Data from patients with primar y biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and noncholestatic liver disease were compar ed using a correlational analysis. In patients with PBC, serum ALP lev els were positively correlated with frequency of intake of fat/oil (r = 0.59, p < 0.01) and meats (r = 0.46, p < 0.05), whereas serum biliru bin (Bill) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significan tly correlated with frequency of intake of dairy products (rs = 0.48 a nd 0.45, ps < 0.05 for Bill and AST, respectively), meats (rs = 0.59 a nd 0.65, ps < 0.01), and fat/oil (r = 0.54, p < 0.02 and r = 0.48, p < 0.05). In patients with noncholestatic liver disease, Bill levels wer e correlated with frequency of intake of fat/oil (r = 0.58, p < 0.01), and fruits and vegetables (r = 0.68, p < 0.01). These results suggest that the degree of elevation of some liver biochemical tests in patie nts with liver disease may be affected by dietary intake.