RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Considering that serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity could reflect several different processes relevant to diabetes pathogenesis and the increasing rate of type 2 diabetes worldwide, the aim of this study was to assess the association between serum GGT concentrations and glucose intolerance, in the first-degree relatives (FDR) of type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: In this descriptive study, 30-80 years old, non diabetic FDRs of type 2 diabetic patients were studied. Serum GGT was measured by enzymatic photometry method in all studied population. The relationship between GGT and glucose intolerance status (normal, prediabetic and diabetics) was evaluated. RESULTS: During this study 551 non-diabetic FDRs of type 2 diabetic patients were studied. Mean of GGT was 25.3 ± 12.1 IU/L. According to glucose tolerance test, 153 were normal and 217 and 181 were diabetic and prediabetic respectively. Mean of GGT in normal, prediabetic and diabetic patients was 23.5 ± 15.9 IU/L, 29.1 ± 28.1 IU/L and 30.9 ± 24.8 IU/L respectively (p = 0.000). The proportion of prediabetic and diabetic patients was higher in higher quartile of GGT and there was a significant correlation between GGT and BMI, HbA1c, FPG, cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride (p < 0.05). There was a significant relation between GGT and area under the curve (AUC) of oral glucose tolerance test (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of GGT in FDRs of type 2 diabetic patients may be useful in assessing the risk of diabetes; those with chronically high levels of GGT should be considered as high risk group for diabetes.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and bone growth. Hypovitaminosis and vitamin D deficiency have been observed in developed and developing countries including several in the Middle East. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was investigated in Isfahani male and female high school students in Iran in 2004. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 318 students (153 boys and 165 girls) aged 14-18 years were selected by multistage random sampling. Data were collected by interview and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OHD <20 and <32 ng/ml in which the mean serum PTH began to increase in our population. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency according to 25-OHD <20 ng/ml in all subjects was 46.2% (72.1% in females and 18.3% in males). Vitamin D deficiency in female students was about four times more common than in males (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.88-3.91, p < 0.001). According to 25-OHD <32 ng/ml, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in all students was 72.2% (95.2% in females and 49% in males). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is common in high school students, especially in girls. Avoidance of sunshine or inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D may be the main causes.
