Some studies have found SCI to induce hepatic lipid deposition and inflammation within 3 months of injury in rats, which is symptomatic of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, the hepatic presentation of metabolic syndrome.59,60 Importantly, the blood measures associated with liver function (alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, CRP, GGT, and total bilirubin) highlighted in this study also were found to be significantly predictive of AIS scores in our preliminary study. This evidence concerns the gene GPT and metabolic syndrome.