amma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is present in serum and the surface of most cell types, and is the enzyme responsible for initiating extracellular catabolism of glutathione, the main antioxidant in mammalian cells. 1 Increased GGT activity may be a response to oxidative stress, which can increase the transport of glutathione precursors into cells. 1,2 Recent reports also indicate a direct role for GGT in the generation of reactive oxygen species. [2][3][4][5][6] In this context, emerging evidence from epidemiological studies indicates that GGT may have a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. 7-9 Similarly, recent cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have also noted a relatively independent association between elevated serum GGT levels and hypertension. 9-14 However, for hypertension, with the exception of recent results from the biracial Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, data from non-Caucasian race-ethnicities in the USA are limited. 9 Also, in light of the overall positive association between serum GGT and clinical hypertension reported in previous epidemiological studies, it is not entirely clear if there is a continuous dose -response relationship Circulation Journal Vol.71, October 2007 in this association or if this association is evident only beyond a particular threshold level of serum GGT. Further, currently there is little data available on the association between serum GGT level and clinically relevant blood pressure (BP) categories earlier in the disease continuum when hypertension prevention efforts may be applicable. Prehypertension, as defined by the Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC7) on prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of high blood pressure and including those with systolic BP ranging from 120-139 mmHg or diastolic BP ranging from 80-89 mmHg, is identified as a predictor for developing hypertension and a stage were primary prevention of hypertension is possible. [15][16][17] In this context, we examined the association between serum GGT levels and prehypertension in a nationally representative sample of US adults, who were free of hypertension, participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002, after adjusting for several important confounders. We also employed non-parametric analytical techniques to examine the dose -response nature of the association between serum GGT levels and prehypertension graphically.
Methods
Study ParticipantsThe NHANES 1999-2002 was a nationally representative sample of the United States of America's non-institutionalized, civilian population. The procedures involved in NHANES 1999-2002 have been published in detail and are available online. 18,19 In brief, the NHANES study included a
Association Between Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Level and Prehypertension Among US AdultsAnoop Shankar, MD, PhD; Jialiang Li, PhD* Background Higher serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels, a marker of oxidative stress, are impli...