Serum level of gamma-glutamyl transferase as a biomarker for predicting stenosis severity in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is associated with pathogenesis of various diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). GGT activity displays an essential role in the catabolism of glutathione which is reported as a major antioxidant. The aim of this study was to explore the association of GGT activity with obstruction severity of artery in 500 CAD patients. RESULTS: Our finding showed a significant association between serum GGT activity and CAD patients. In particular, the level of GGT in patients who had ≥50% obstruction was higher, compared to healthy and patients with less than 50% obstruction in their coronary arteries (the level of GGT in patients with at least one (1 SVD), two (2VD), three (3VD) coronary artery obstruction were 55.6 ± 9.7, 71.7 ± 12.7 and 84.7 ± 13.4, while these values in patients with negative angio or control group were 28 ± 10 and 17 ± 4.6). Furthermore, the activity of this marker was associated with increased the risk of CAD (Odd ratio of GGT in 3VD group: 2, 95%CI: 1.8–2.3), which was also related with HDL-C. Of note, the level of GGT was enhanced progressively with increasing the obstruction severity of arteries. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate the prognostic value of serum level of GGT as a biomarker for predicting obstruction severity in patients with CAD.