Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase: A Novel Cardiovascular Risk BioMarker

Abstract

Gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a second‐generation enzymatic liver function test available for several decades, initially used as a sensitive indicator of alcohol ingestion, hepatic inflammation, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis. Longitudinal and cross‐sectional investigational studies since 1990 have associated GGT with an increase in all‐cause mortality, as well as chronic heart disease events such as congestive heart failure and components of the metabolic syndrome (abnormal body mass index and levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure). In the upper reference range, GGT was found to be an independent biomarker of the metabolic syndrome, with a 20% per GGT quartile trend rise. Additionally, GGT was positively correlated with an 18% per quartile risk of cardiovascular events and a 26% per quartile increased risk of all‐cause mortality. Furthermore, it may be considered a biomarker for “oxidative stress” associated with glutathione metabolism and possibly a “proatherogenic” marker because of its indirect relationship in the biochemical steps to low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation. GGT is becoming an important addition to the multimarker approach to cardiovascular risk evaluation. It should be considered a valuable adjunct in stratifying patient risk and in assessing the aggressiveness of appropriate treatment, with hopes of preventing unnecessary cardiac events and deaths in future years. Prev Cardiol. 2010;13:36–41.©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Elevated gamma glutamyl transferase levels are associated with the location of acute pulmonary embolism. Cross-sectional evaluation in hospital setting

“…24,25 GGT assaying is a liver function test that is used as a sensitive indicator of alcohol consumption and hepatobiliary dysfunction. 26 GGT is found not only in the liver, but also in the kidneys and vascular epithelium, as well as in the extracellular fluid, where it is attached to albumin carrier molecules and lipoproteins. 27 Previous studies have shown that increased GGT levels are associated with decreased oxygen levels and increased levels of inflammatory markers.…”

Risk Factors and Predictors of Ischemic Heart Disease Onset in Females

“…Виявлено такі нові фактори ризи-ку: С-реактивний білок (СРБ), гомоцистеїн, ліпо-протеїн (а) [11], мікроальбумінурія (МАУ) [28], се-чова кислота [7,10,25,27] [34].…”

“…Окрім цього, вона позитивно корелює з ризиком серцево-судинних подій і підви-щеним ризиком загальної смертності. ҐҐТП можна розглядати як маркер оксидативного стресу, який має стосунок до метаболізму ґлутатіону, і, можливо, як проатероґенний маркер, позаяк він опосередкова-но стосується каскаду окиснення ЛПНГ [28]. Дове-дено, що жінки з підвищеним рівнем ҐҐТП мали ви-щий рівень коронарного кальцію (> 100,0) і більшу поширеність МС.…”

Relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and SYNTAX score

“…I agree with him that uric acid and gamma-glutamyl transferase values have been examined in previous studies of the extent, severity, and complexity of coronary artery disease [2,3]. Because of this, we first aimed to investigate the association between the monocyte/HDL-C ratio and SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery disease.…”