Relationship between gamma-glutamyltransferase and metabolic syndrome in a Korean population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate associations between gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and components of metabolic syndrome (MS), insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in the Korean population.


METHODS
The 3508 subjects enrolled in this survey participated in the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort (KRGC) study. Written consent was obtained from the local ethical committee. Of these participants, 1437 were men (mean age 56.9 +/- 7.9 years) and 2071 were women (mean age 55.8 +/- 8.1 years). We measured GGT levels and various biochemical markers. To examine insulin resistance status, we used the homeostasis assessment method for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). For inflammatory marker, we used C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.


RESULTS
Serum GGT levels were significantly higher in the MS group compared to the healthy patient group [23 (5-1403) vs. 19 (5-1920) IU/l; P = 0.01]. The prevalence of MS and adjusted relative risk were both significantly increased from the lowest to highest GGT quartiles; these results persisted after adjustments for multiple confounders. Positive correlations were established between GGT and HOMA-IR or CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that GGT levels may be a surrogate marker of insulin resistance, inflammation and MS.
Lee
M Y
MY
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Koh
S B
SB
Koh
J H
JH
Nam
S M
SM
Shin
J Y
JY
Shin
Y G
YG
Kong
I D
ID
Ryu
S Y
SY
Lee
T Y
TY
Park
J K
JK
Chung
C H
CH
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase