Association of Serum C-reactive Protein Levels with Gamma Glutamyl Transferase and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Middle Aged People

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker shown to predict future
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to
investigate the association of serum CRP level as a marker of chronic inflammation
with gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) as early marker of oxidative stress and their
association with cardiometabolic risk factors among a diverse community sample of
mid-life people, also to examine whether these relationships might vary by age, sex
and body mass index. The investigation was based on data derived from 100
apparently healthy volunteers (male 40, female 60) aged 20-50 years, had a BMI
between 24.2 and 37.7 kg/m2. Fasting serum CRP, GGT, uric acid and
cardiovascular risk factors were measured and assessed in relation to CRP.
Significant gender differences exist in the population distribution of CRP and GGT.
In addition, higher BMI was significantly associated with higher CRP and uric acid.
There was linear trend for increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors across
CRP categories representing medium (1-<3mg/L) and high (3-10 mg/L). After
adjustment for sex, age and body mass index, serum concentration of CRP was
positively associated with serum concentration of GGT and Uric acid (P<0.05). Body
mass index and systosolic blood pressure had the strongest association with CRP.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) progressively increased with elevated
CRP levels. In conclusion, these data suggest that CRP is associated with two
markers of oxidative stress, GGT and UA and elevation of both CRP and GGT may be
worsening the atherogenic state. Furthermore, elevated CRP levels were associated
with adverse lipid profiles and metabolic syndrome.