PP.03.18] THE ROLE OF GAMMA GAMMA-GLUTAMYLTRANSFERASE (GGT) REGARDING CARDIOVASCULAR RISK EVALUATION OF CAUCASIAN NEWLY DIAGNOSED AND NEVER UNTREATED PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Objective: Several observational studies, usually in South Asian populations, have drawn inconsistent conclusions regarding the role of the gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in cardiovascular risk evaluation of hypertensive patients. Therefore, we investigated any possible association between GGT levels and blood pressure (BP) levels and target organ damage (TOD) indices in Caucasian newly diagnosed and never untreated patients with essential hypertension. Design and method: We studied 170 non-diabetic, newly diagnosed patients with stage I-II arterial hypertension (mean age 50+11 years, 100 males). We performed: a. 24 h ambulatory BP measurement (ABPM) and b. we evaluated carotid-femoral artery pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), microalbumin levels (MAU), LV remodeling (LVMI), and coronary flow reserve (CFR). Results: GGT levels were related with age (r = −0.22, p = 0.005), weight (r = 0.36, p < 0.001), LDL-C (r = 0.19, p = 0.01), heart rate (r = 0.209, p = 0.008), systolic ABPM (r = 0.21, p = 0.006), diastolic ABPM (r = 0.29, p < 0.001) and MAU (r = 0.26, p = 0.002). No other relationships were emerged when we checked for sex differences and dipping status. However, applying a multiple linear regression analysis were age, creatinine levels, systolic and diastolic ABPM were inserted as independent variables, we found that the relationships between GGT and systolic ABPM and diastolic ABPM as well as MAU were not independent. Conclusions: GGT levels are non-independently related with the stage of arterial hypertension as well as endothelial dysfunction, expressed as MAU, in Caucasian patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Further studies in several hypertensive treated and untreated populations are needed in order to conclude about the significance of GGT levels as a novel cardiovascular risk marker.