gamma-glutamyl transferase and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review

The relationship between gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt) levels and risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (t2dm) and the risk of incident t2dm was assessed using a narrative review of available evidence. higher circulating levels of ggt are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, suggesting ggt as a risk predictor of t2dm. the incidence of type 2 diabetes and its association with ggt elevation could be explained by oxidative stress in cells followed by subclinical inflammation and fatty liver, leading to impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. a strong correlation is evident between bmi and ggt, in which hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance are proposed to be the intermediate connecting characteristics.