Duk-Hee Lee1, Ji-Sun Lim, Jin-Hun Yang, Myung-Hwa Ha, David R Jacobs. 1. Division of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion Research Center, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 101 Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-422, South Korea. lee_dh@knu.ac.kr
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological and experimental studies support the concept that serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity within its normal range is related to oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases, serum GGT may predict development of liver damage. METHODS: A total of 6,523 healthy male workers with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT, <35 U/l) in a steel manufacturing company were followed for four years. Liver damage was defined as a chronic elevation of serum ALT (both 2001 and 2002). RESULTS: After adjusting for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, exercise, and baseline value of ALT, in comparison with the group whose GGT level was <10 U/l, the adjusted relative risks for elevated ALT level among those with GGT levels 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, and over 40 U/l was 1.0, 2.5, 4.7, 7.4, and 12.0, respectively (P for trend <0.01). More importantly, this association was similarly observed even among non-drinkers; the corresponding relative risks were 1.0, 1.8, 3.8, 5.6, and 6.2 (P for trend <0.01). However baseline ALT did not predict abnormal GGT level four years later. CONCLUSION: Serum GGT levels within normal range predict incidence of chronic elevation of ALT. Oxidative stress might explain this relationship.
BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological and experimental studies support the concept that serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity within its normal range is related to oxidative stress. Since oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases, serum GGT may predict development of liver damage. METHODS: A total of 6,523 healthy male workers with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT, <35 U/l) in a steel manufacturing company were followed for four years. Liver damage was defined as a chronic elevation of serum ALT (both 2001 and 2002). RESULTS: After adjusting for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, exercise, and baseline value of ALT, in comparison with the group whose GGT level was <10 U/l, the adjusted relative risks for elevated ALT level among those with GGT levels 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, and over 40 U/l was 1.0, 2.5, 4.7, 7.4, and 12.0, respectively (P for trend <0.01). More importantly, this association was similarly observed even among non-drinkers; the corresponding relative risks were 1.0, 1.8, 3.8, 5.6, and 6.2 (P for trend <0.01). However baseline ALT did not predict abnormal GGT level four years later. CONCLUSION: Serum GGT levels within normal range predict incidence of chronic elevation of ALT. Oxidative stress might explain this relationship.
Authors: Ebenezer T Oni; Vincent Figueredo; Ehimen Aneni; Emir Veladar; John W McEvoy; Michael J Blaha; Roger S Blumenthal; Raquel D Conceicao; Jose A M Carvalho; Raul D Santos; Khurram Nasir Journal: J Clin Med Res Date: 2020-07-22
Authors: Eun Sun Jang; Sook-Hyang Jeong; Sung Ho Hwang; Hyun Young Kim; So Yeon Ahn; Jaebong Lee; Sang Hyub Lee; Young Soo Park; Jin Hyeok Hwang; Jin-Wook Kim; Nayoung Kim; Dong Ho Lee Journal: BMC Gastroenterol Date: 2012-10-18 Impact factor: 3.067