title: The relationship between gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and coronary plaque burdens and plaque structures in young adults with coronary atherosclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels have been demonstrated to be associated with poor prognoses in patients with coronary artery disease. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a noninvasive imaging modality that may differentiate the structure of coronary plaques. Elevated plaque burdens and noncalcified plaques, detected by CCTA, are important predictors of atherosclerosis in young adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated the possible relationship between GGT levels and coronary plaque burdens/structures in young adults with coronary atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  CCTA images of 259 subjects were retrospectively examined, and GGT levels were compared between patients with coronary plaques and individuals with normal coronary arteries. Coronary plaques, detected by CCTA, were categorized as noncalcified, calcified, and mixed, according to their structures. The significant independent predictors of coronary atherosclerosis were also analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GGT levels were significantly higher in patients with coronary plaque formation than in controls (35.7 ± 14.7 vs 19.6 ± 10.0 U/L; P < 0.001). GGT levels were also positively correlated with the number of plaques; presence of noncalcified plaques; and levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hemoglobin A1c, uric acid, and triglycerides. Moreover, smoking and levels of GGT, hs-CRP, uric acid, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were independent predictors of coronary atherosclerosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GGT is an inexpensive and readily available marker that provides additional risk stratification beyond that provided by conventional risk factors for predicting coronary plaque burdens and plaque structures in young adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Education and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Huseyin Altug
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Seckin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satilmis
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gungor
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Ahmet Arif
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ayca
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erturk
authors.forename: Mehmet Mahir
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Atasoy
authors.forename: Nevzat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Uslu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D015854:Up-Regulation; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; C554782:gamma-glutamyltransferase, human