From the Research
Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as evidenced by the most recent and highest quality study available 1.
Association between GGT and Diabetes
The relationship between GGT levels and diabetes risk appears to be dose-dependent, with higher GGT levels correlating with greater diabetes risk 2.
- GGT is an enzyme involved in glutathione metabolism, and elevated levels may reflect underlying metabolic dysfunction that contributes to impaired glucose regulation.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is commonly associated with elevated GGT, creates a state of hepatic insulin resistance that can progress to systemic insulin resistance and eventually diabetes.
- The association between GGT and diabetes is believed to stem from GGT's role as a marker of oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease.
Clinical Implications
For clinical practice, monitoring GGT levels may provide additional information for diabetes risk assessment, particularly in patients with other risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, or dyslipidemia 3.
- However, GGT should be considered as part of a comprehensive risk evaluation rather than as a standalone predictor of diabetes.
- Elevated GGT levels have been shown to predict reduced insulin sensitivity and increased intrahepatic lipids, which are key factors in the development of type 2 diabetes 3.
- Regular exercise has been shown to improve GGT levels in pre-diabetic patients, highlighting the importance of lifestyle interventions in diabetes prevention 4.