Multimodal Nutraceutical and Psychological Intervention for GGT Reduction in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Biomarkers
• Clinical Nutrition

Background:

• Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) indicates alcohol-related hepatic stress and oxidative imbalance.
• Alcohol abstinence is key for GGT normalization, but adjunctive strategies may aid biochemical improvement.
• This study investigates a multimodal intervention for GGT reduction in a real-world setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a multimodal intervention in reducing elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels.
• To assess GGT changes in participants stratified by baseline GGT levels.
• To explore the impact of a combined nutraceutical and psychological support intervention on liver stress biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• A non-randomized cohort study included 197 participants stratified into GGT groups: 55-99 U/L (n=95) and ≥100 U/L (n=102).
• The higher GGT subgroup received nutraceuticals (silymarin, phospholipids, antioxidants) and psychological support.
• Primary outcome was GGT change from baseline (T1) to follow-up (T2).

Main Results:

• Participants with baseline GGT ≥100 U/L showed a significant median GGT decrease from 133.73 to 97.41 U/L (p < 0.001).
• The 55-99 U/L subgroup had minimal change (67.49 to 66.51 U/L, p = 0.072).
• Higher baseline GGT group had greater GGT reduction (median ΔGGT: -35.25 U/L), higher GGT reduction proportion (91.2%), and increased odds of reduction (OR=4.32).

Conclusions:

• A multimodal intervention effectively reduced GGT levels, especially in individuals with baseline GGT ≥100 U/L.
• Findings support monitoring GGT dynamics in clinical practice as a sensitive biomarker for hepatic stress.
• The intervention combining nutraceuticals and psychological support shows promise for managing alcohol-related liver stress.