Abstract
Excessive ethanol consumption, obesity and increasing age may all lead to increased serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) enzyme, which plays a key role in the metabolism of extracellular reduced glutathione. However, as yet, the interactions between the various modulators of GGT activities have remained poorly defined. We analyzed data from 15,617 apparently healthy individuals (7254 men and 8363 women, mean age 46 ± 13 years, range 25–74 years) who participated in a national cross-sectional health survey in Finland between 1997 and 2007. All subjects underwent detailed clinical examinations and interviews, including the amount of ethanol use and smoking habits. GGT levels were measured from all participants, and the individual and joint impacts of the different study variables on GGT levels were assessed. Significant individual effects were noted for ethanol use (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and smoking (p < 0.001). In men, significant two-factor interactions occurred between ethanol use and age (p < 0.020). Among those over 40 years of age, ethanol consumption was found to be a stronger determinant of increased GGT levels than in men below 40 years, whereas in the latter age group, BMI was found to predominate. In women, a significant two-factor interaction occurred between ethanol and BMI (p = 0.010), whereas it did not with ethanol use and age. The data underscores the role of ethanol consumption and age as major determinants of increased GGT levels in men, whereas in women, a relatively stronger impact was noted for ethanol intake and BMI. In light of the ability of GGT enzyme to modulate crucial redox-sensitive functions, the present findings also support the use of GGT as a biomarker of oxidative stress.
Highlights
The increasing prevalence of excess ethanol intake constitutes a major threat to modern healthcare [1,2,3]
Obesity and its comorbidities have become a worldwide epidemic, more than half of the population being currently overweight or obese [4,5,6,7]. Both excessive ethanol consumption and obesity are well known causes of hepatic fat accumulation and increased blood levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) enzyme [8,9], which is a key modulator of glutathione (GSH) metabolism and oxidative stress [10,11]
We investigated the individual and joint impacts of ethanol use and body mass index (BMI) on GGT levels in a large age- and gender-stratified population sample of teetotalers, moderate drinkers and individuals exceeding the limits of heavy drinking, yet being devoid of apparent health problems at the time of the study
Summary
The increasing prevalence of excess ethanol intake constitutes a major threat to modern healthcare [1,2,3]. Obesity and its comorbidities have become a worldwide epidemic, more than half of the population being currently overweight or obese [4,5,6,7]. Both excessive ethanol consumption and obesity are well known causes of hepatic fat accumulation and increased blood levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) enzyme [8,9], which is a key modulator of glutathione (GSH) metabolism and oxidative stress [10,11]. Studies on the interactions between ethanol intake, overweight, age and gender on GGT levels have been limited
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call