Association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and impaired fasting glucose

Objective To investigate the correlation of serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)level with impaired fasting glucose(IFG)and evaluate the modification effects of age, Body Mass Index(BMI), hypertension and lipids in Chinese adults. Methods The study samples were from a community-based health examination survey in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province of China. A total of 7309 subjects with biomarkers available were included in the present study. Serum ALT, GGT, triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)and glucose were measured. IFG was defined from 6.1 mmol/L to 7.0 mmol/L (fasting blood-glucose, FBG). Results are expressed as mean±S.E. The correlation between hepatic markers and other variables were assessed using pearson correlation . Logistic regression model (binary regression) was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of IFG with 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Results After adjusted for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C, the odds ratios (ORs, 95%CI) of IFG across increasing quintiles of GGT were 1.00, 0.91(0.49-1.72), 1.27(0.68-2.38), 2.31(1.29-4.15) and 2.42(1.32-4.42) (P for trend<0.05). We found significant interactions between GGT and age on IFG risk (P<0.05). When the joint effects were examined, we found an additive effect of BMI level and GGT levels on fasting blood glucose (FBG). Conclusions The present data indicate serum GGT is related to the risk of IFG in Chinese adults, and BMI level modified in coordination with the relationship. Key words: Diabetes, type 2; GGT; BMI; IFG; Interaction