Gamma glutamyltransferase as a novel marker of coronary artery calcification in women.
OBJECTIVE
Gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) has attracted great interest as a potential novel marker of cardiovascular risk. However, its association with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score-determined coronary artery atherosclerosis is unknown. This study was designed to assess the association of GGT with CAC score.


METHODS
Participants, 311 asymptomatic men and 220 asymptomatic women who underwent evaluation of CAC by cardiac computed tomography, were retrospectively investigated. Correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association of GGT with CAC score and other variables.


RESULTS
Women but not men with higher GGT had a higher incidence of CAC score above 100 and a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.012 and 0.007, respectively). GGT was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) in women (r = 0.336, P < 0.001). GGT was independently associated with the incidence of CAC score above 100 in women [odds ratio (OR) 1.228, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.206-1.252, P = 0.001] but not in men.


CONCLUSIONS
In asymptomatic women, GGT is independently and positively associated with CAC score and it can be useful as a provisional new risk factor for CAC. Additionally, metabolic syndrome and CRP may be the mediators of the mechanisms by which GGT increases CAC in asymptomatic women.
Department of Pneumoconiosis, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China.
Lu-Qin
LQ
Bian
Zheng-Yun
ZY
Zhang
Sung-Joo
SJ
Kim
Cai-Cun
CC
Zhou
Yoon-Ho
YH
Choi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase