Association between gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity and status of disorders constituting insulin resistance syndrome.

Abstract

Serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma GTP) activity is a well-established marker of alcohol consumption. However, recently, a correlation between serum gamma GTP activity and insulin resistance status has been demonstrated. To determine whether serum gamma GTP activity could be associated with the status of various disorders caused by increased insulin resistance levels, namely, insulin resistance syndrome, a cross-sectional study for 11,884 Japanese men was performed. They were divided into three groups by their age, and associations between gamma GTP and various indexes of insulin resistance syndrome were studied by multiple logistic regression analysis in which subjects' drinking styles were corrected for in each age bracket. Consuming ethanol more than 40 g/day, body mass index more than 25.9 kg/m2, and triglyceride levels more than 150 mg/dl were significant risk factors accounting for increased gamma GTP activity (more than 78 IU/liters) irrespective of age. In addition, when subjects of 40 to 59 years old were selectively studied, hypertension, hypercholesteremia, hyperuricemia, and increased glycohemoglobin A1C levels were also significant risk factors for increased gamma GTP activity. There are significant associations between gamma GTP and the status of insulin resistance syndrome. In addition to excessive alcohol consumption, the status of insulin resistance syndrome could affect subjects' gamma GTP activities.