A Strong Interaction Between Serum [Gamma]-Glutamyltransferase and Obesity on the Risk of Prevalent Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Lipids, Lipoproteins, And Cardiovascular Risk Factors‪)‬

Although increased serum y-glutamyltransferase (GGT)4 has been regarded as a biomarker of hepatobiliary disease and alcohol consumption, cellular GGT is an ectoplasmic enzyme responsible for the extracellular catabolism of glutathione and is widely distributed in various cells with high secretory or absorptive activities (1). Recent population-based epidemiological studies have shown a strong association of serum GGT activities within the reference interval with many cardiovascular disease risk factors or components of metabolic syndrome (2-14). In addition, in prospective studies, baseline serum GGT activity predicted future diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and myocardial infarction (3-14). Among these diseases, serum GGT within the reference interval most strongly predicted incident type 2 diabetes (5, 8-13).