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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2012; 120(08): 445-450
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311642
Article
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Supervised Exercise on Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Levels in Patients with Isolated Impaired Fasting Glucose and Those with Impaired Fasting Glucose Plus Impaired Glucose Tolerance

M. Burtscher
1   Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
H. Gatterer
1   Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
T. Dünnwald
1   Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
D. Pesta
1   Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
M. Faulhaber
1   Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
N. Netzer
2   Hermann Buhl Institute for Hypoxia and Sleep Medicine Research, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
,
R. Koch
3   Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
,
K. König
4   General practitioner, Vorarlberg, Austria
,
H. Ulmer
5   Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 13 March 2012
first decision 13 March 2012

accepted 02 April 2012

Publication Date:
25 May 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Aim:

To study the effects of a supervised exercise program on serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in pre-diabetic patients with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and those with IFG plus impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Methods:

Out of 60 pre-diabetic patients (30 with isolated IFG and 30 with IFG + IGT) 24 were randomly assigned to the supervised exercise program (1 h twice a week) and 36 only obtained counselling on the risk of diabetes and its prevention. Patients have been followed over a 12-month period.

Results:

The main findings were that patients with IFG + IGT had increased GGT levels at baseline (49.2±27.4 U/L) compared to subjects with isolated IFG (28.1±21.9 U/L) (p<0.01), and that GGT levels improved only after the supervised exercise intervention within the IFG + IGT subjects ( − 17.7±19.6 U/L). Similarly, baseline triglyceride levels were also higher in IFG + IGT patients (p<0.001) and there was a decrease through exercise intervention in these patients only (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

GGT is an unspecific marker of oxidative stress and both high plasma glucose and triglycerides levels may produce oxidative stress. Thus, patients with IFG + IGT seem to have higher levels of oxidative stress than those with isolated IFG. Based on the known association between GGT levels and cardiovascular risk factors, IFG + IGT patients may be at higher risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The specific effect of regular exercise on GGT in pre-diabetic patients may contribute to the understanding of the preventive effects related to exercise.

Key words

gamma-glutamyl transferase - impaired fasting glucose - impaired glucose tolerance - exercise - cardiovascular risk factors
 

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