A comparative study on C-reactive protein and gamma-glutamyl transferase as novel inflammatory markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Studies in the last few years have linked oxidative stress and inflammation to beta-cell function resulting from chronic exposure to hyperglycemia. Recent prospective trials have suggested that an elevated level of C-reactive protein and gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme is associated with subsequent development of diabetes. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between gamma-glutamyl transferase and the marker of inflammation C-reactive protein in patients with diabetes. The study was conducted on 300 patients, including 100 healthy controls and 200 patients with type 2 diabetes. Plasma glucose levels (fasting and postprandial), serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase hepatic enzyme levels were measured. The mean high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were significantly higher than the values in controls (P < 0.0010). Further, a significant positive correlation was observed between gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with type 2 diabetics (r = 0.312, P = 0.001). The increase in the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and gamma-glutamyl transferase in patients with diabetes and their significant association might be a result of inflammati on and oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus.