In the third quantile and the 90th percentile, both abnormal AST level (p<0.001) and HOMA-IR ≥2.5 (p<0.001) were significant independent determinants of LS, in a model also consisting of hypertension, abnormal serum ALT level, prediabetes based on OGTT and/or HbA1c, as well as high TG or on lipid lowering medications. The gene discussed is GPT; the disease is prediabetes syndrome.