Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) as a Diagnostic Marker for Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk
Nandini M S 1, Priya Santharam 1, Bindu D 1*, Priya V 1
Journal of Angiotherapy 5(2) 1-5 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.52121602920201221
Submitted: 29 November 2021 Revised: 10 December 2021 Published: 20 December 2021
GGT showed high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing metabolic syndrome, aiding early detection and management to reduce cardiovascular risks.
Abstract
Background: The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), driven by rising obesity rates, significantly heightens the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), an enzyme linked to oxidative stress and metabolism, has emerged as a potential biomarker for diagnosing metabolic syndrome and assessing cardiovascular risk. This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of GGT in identifying metabolic syndrome and its associated cardiovascular risks in an Indian hospital-based cohort. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital from December 2018 to December 2019. A total of 120 participants were included, with 60 diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and 60 age- and sex-matched controls. Serum GGT levels were measured and compared between the two groups. The study also assessed parameters of metabolic syndrome including central obesity, blood pressure, glycemic control, and dyslipidemia. Results: GGT levels were significantly elevated in patients with metabolic syndrome (93% of cases) compared to controls. The sensitivity and specificity of GGT for diagnosing metabolic syndrome were 87% and 100%, respectively (p < 0.001). Elevated GGT levels correlated strongly with hypertriglyceridemia and other components of metabolic syndrome. Even GGT levels at the upper limit of normal were associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: Elevated GGT levels are a robust marker for diagnosing metabolic syndrome and assessing cardiovascular risk. The high sensitivity and specificity of GGT underscore its potential as a valuable tool for early detection and management of metabolic syndrome. Integrating GGT measurements into clinical practice could improve early intervention strategies and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiovascular Risk, Biomarker, Sensitivity and Specificity
References
Alberti, K. G. M. M., Eckel, R. H., Grundy, S. M., Zimmet, P. Z., & Shaw, J. E. (2009). International diabetes federation: A consensus on the metabolic syndrome. The Lancet, 373(9671), 924-930. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60123-8
Assy, N., & Nseir, S. (2011). Gamma-glutamyl transferase and liver disease: A review. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 45(2), 144-150. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181e5f28f
Bhatia, P., & Saini, V. (2015). Obesity and cardiovascular risk in India: An overview. Indian Heart Journal, 67(6), 515-520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ihj.2015.10.012
Chen, C. H., & Chiu, P. Y. (2010). Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and its association with obesity and insulin resistance in children and adolescents. Pediatric Diabetes, 11(7), 489-494. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5448.2010.00629.x
Devaraj, S., & Jialal, I. (2000). Increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant defenses in the metabolic syndrome. Metabolism, 49(5), 650-654. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0026-0495(00)90028-2
Eckel, R. H., & Alberti, K. G. M. M. (2014). Metabolic syndrome: An update. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2(12), 1127-1136. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70102-0
Eguchi, Y., & Eguchi, T. (2011). The role of gamma-glutamyl transferase in cardiovascular risk. American Journal of Hypertension, 24(2), 173-178. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajh.2010.210
Fontana, L., & Epel, E. S. (2012). Obesity and metabolic syndrome: A review of current evidence. Current Diabetes Reports, 12(3), 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-012-0276-8
Grundy, S. M., & Cleeman, J. I. (2005). Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: An American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute scientific statement. Circulation, 112(17), 2735-2752. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.169404
Grundy, S. M., Cleeman, J. I., Daniels, S. R., Donato, K. A., Eckel, R. H., Franklin, B. A., Costa, F. (2005). Diagnosis and management of the metabolic syndrome: an American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute scientific statement. Circulation, 112(17), 2735-2752. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.169404
Kaur, J. (2014). A comprehensive review on metabolic syndrome. Cardiovascular Disorders, 14(3), 230-238. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6823-14-230
Kim, H. S., & Kim, J. H. (2012). Association between gamma-glutamyl transferase and metabolic syndrome components in a Korean population. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 27(6), 748-754. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2012.27.6.748
Lee, H. J., & Lee, K. S. (2015). The predictive value of gamma-glutamyl transferase for the development of cardiovascular disease. International Journal of Cardiology, 181, 128-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.11.063
Lim, S., & Shin, H. J. (2010). Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease: A comprehensive review. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 12(4), 203-209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-010-0134-6
Marra, F., & Svegliati-Baroni, G. (2009). Lipotoxicity and the gut-liver axis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Current Drug Targets, 10(5), 629-635. https://doi.org/10.2174/138920109788923188
Mendez, J. R., & Reusch, J. E. (2011). The role of gamma-glutamyl transferase in cardiovascular risk prediction. Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, 9(5), 639-647. https://doi.org/10.1586/erc.11.29
Nakanishi, N., & Kodama, K. (2013). Association between gamma-glutamyl transferase and obesity. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(5), 1956-1963. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-3790
Park, S. K., & Sung, K. C. (2009). Gamma-glutamyl transferase and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 24(6), 1007-1012. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2009.24.6.1007
Patel, R. S., & Desai, V. (2012). Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and its association with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 50(8), 1535-1543. https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2011-0906
Poon, T. Y., & Wang, H. M. (2014). Gamma-glutamyl transferase as a potential marker for metabolic syndrome: A review. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 12(1), 42-49. https://doi.org/10.1089/met.2013.0077
Sharma, R., & Jain, S. (2016). Relationship between gamma-glutamyl transferase and metabolic syndrome in a population-based cohort. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 31(3), 305-311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-015-0533-2
View Dimensions
View Altmetric
Save
Citation
View
Share