Gamma glutamyltransferase as a novel marker of coronary artery calcification in women

AIMS: Gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) has attracted great interest as a potential novel marker of cardiovascular risk. However, its association with coronary artery calcification (CAC) score-determined coronary artery atherosclerosis is unknown. This study was designed to assess the association of GGT with CAC score. METHODS: Participants, 311 asymptomatic men and 220 asymptomatic women who underwent evaluation of CAC by cardiac computed tomography, were retrospectively investigated. Correlation and logistic regression analysis were used to assess the association of GGT with CAC score and other variables. RESULTS: Women but not men with higher GGT had a higher incidence of CAC score above 100 and a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (P=0.012 and 0.007, respectively). GGT was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) in women (r=0.336, P<0.001). GGT was independently associated with the incidence of CAC score above 100 in women [odds ratio (OR) 1.228, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.206-1.252, P=0.001] but not in men. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic women, GGT is independently and positively associated with CAC score and it can be useful as a provisional new risk factor for CAC. Additionally, metabolic syndrome and CRP may be the mediators of the mechanisms by which GGT increases CAC in asymptomatic women.