GAMMA-GLUTAMYL TRANSFERASE AS AN INDICATOR OF OBESITY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: Obesity, characterized by an increase in excessive fat accumulation, represents a social problem worldwide and has been recognizedas a major underlying factor in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a cell-surface protein contributing tothe extracellular catabolism of glutathione. Elevated GGT is strongly associated with obesity and excess deposition of fat in the liver, termed nonalcoholicfatty liver disease, which is thought to cause hepatic insulin resistance and contribute to the development of systemic insulin resistanceand hyperinsulinemia. Therefore, we have investigated the serum GGT levels in obese individuals and the correlation of serum GGT with bodymass index (BMI) and waist circumference.Methods: The study was carried out in 100 obese patients and 100 non-obese individuals.Results: Patients with obesity showed a significant increase in GGT levels when compared to the control group. The mean levels of BMI, WC, totalcholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), very LDL-cholesterol, total protein, and aspartate aminotransferase werefound to be significantly elevated in the obese individuals compared to controls. The mean levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed asignificant decrease in the obese participants.Conclusion: Elevated liver enzymes, although in normal ranges, especially at upper quartiles as observed in our study, may play a central role inearly diagnosis of fat overflow to the liver. The findings of our study suggest that serum GGT levels may be a simple and reliable marker of visceral fataccumulation.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Gamma-glutamyl transferase, Insulin resistance, Metabolic syndrome, Obesity.