Age-related changes in the glucose level, its metabolites, and aminotransferases activity in women and men of mature and elderly age

BACKGROUND: Adaptation to living conditions in the North in humans is determined by the person’s energy status — in particular glucose homeostasis, and the activity of several enzymes — aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

AIM: To conduct a comparative analysis of the levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, the activity of AST, ALT, and the ratio of different age groups in men and women residing in the subarctic region of the Arkhangelsk Region.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This article is an observational cross-sectional uncontrolled study that accounts for the differences in the content of carbohydrate metabolism parameters and transferase activity between groups of women and men of different age periods. 437 women and 194 men aged 21–74 years, born and permanent residents of the Arkhangelsk region, were examined. The glucose content of the blood serum was determined by the enzymatic method, the lactate level was measured by the Trinder Reaction, the pyruvate level — by the Umbright Method, the activity of AST and ALT — by the unified kinetic method, and the values of the AST/ALT ratio (De Ritis ratio) were obtained. The study participants were divided into 4 age groups: women 21–35, 36–45, 46–55, 56–74 years, and men 22–35, 36–45, 46–60, and 61–74 years.

RESULTS: Non-parametric comparison showed an age-related increase in blood glucose in women aged 46–55 years accompanied by an increase in the activity of AST and ALT, while in men aged 61–74 years, there was a decrease in ALT. This indicates the presence of different mechanisms that accounts for its increase; an increase in the number of people with a critical glucose level (prediabetes — 5.6–6.1 mmol/l and above is normal) in older age groups can serve as a confirmation of the onset of hyperglycemia and could be the cause and/or consequence of the insulin resistance. An individual analysis of the De Ritis ratio showed individuals with different metabolic flows in glucose homeostasis in all gender and age groups. With age in 57.5; 66.7; 59.5 and 52.4% of women and in 72.6; 63.2; 74.1 and 28.6% of men, there were predominated anabolic processes, which, with an increase in glucose, increased the risk of insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS: The observed features of the state of carbohydrate metabolism and aminotransferases in men and women, taking into account their ages, can contribute to diagnostic and preventive measures aimed at preserving the health of the people living in the Arctic.