title: Lack of association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and carotid atherosclerosis: the Namwon Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is little evidence for an association between gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and carotid atherosclerosis, an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. We examined the association between serum GGT and carotid atherosclerotic parameters, including carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques, in a large general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of community-dwelling adults who participated in the baseline survey of the Namwon Study. A total of 9120 subjects aged 45-74 years were included in the analyses. High-resolution B-mode ultrasound was used to measure carotid IMT and to evaluate the presence of carotid plaques. A mean carotid IMT of ≥1.0 mm was classified as 'high carotid IMT'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum GGT levels were classified into quartiles. In a fully adjusted model, we found no linear trend between GGT quartile and mean carotid IMT (P for trend = 0.167). Compared with the first quartile (the reference category), the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for high carotid IMT were 0.89 (0.68-1.16), 1.10 (0.84-1.43), and 0.97 (0.71-1.33) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles (P for trend = 0.754), respectively. The ORs (95% CIs) for carotid plaques were 0.89 (0.77-1.02), 0.95 (0.82-1.10), and 0.94 (0.79-1.11) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, in the fully adjusted model (P for trend = 0.644).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant association of GGT concentration with carotid IMT or plaques was found in this large cross-sectional study. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine & Institute of Wonkwang Medical Science, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea; Regional Cardiocerebrovascular Center, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Jeonbuk, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea; Jeonnam Regional Cancer Center, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Seog
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kweon
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chonbuk National University Medical School-Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seul-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Seonam University College of Medicine, Namwon, Jeonbuk, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyeong-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea; Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea. Electronic address: mhshinx@paran.com.
authors.forename: Min-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; C554782:gamma-glutamyltransferase, human
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid intima-media thickness; Gamma-glutamyltransferase; Plaque