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Elevated liver gamma-glutamyl transferase in chronic alcoholics
Enzyme
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Chronic alcoholics show elevated liver gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) activity, but serum levels do not correlate with liver enzyme activity, limiting clinical significance.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hepatology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Chronic alcohol consumption is a major cause of liver disease.
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) is an enzyme often monitored in liver function tests.
- Elevated gamma-GT levels are commonly associated with alcohol-induced liver damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between liver and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) activity in chronic alcoholics.
- To determine the clinical significance of liver gamma-GT activity in patients with chronic alcoholism.
- To assess if hepatic lesions influence gamma-GT activity levels.
Main Methods:
- Assessed liver gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) activity in 36 chronic alcoholics and a control group.
- Measured serum gamma-GT activity in alcoholic patients, categorizing them by the presence or absence of hepatic lesions (chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis).
- Analyzed correlations between liver and serum enzyme activities.
Main Results:
- Liver gamma-GT activity was approximately double in chronic alcoholics compared to controls, irrespective of hepatic lesions.
- Serum gamma-GT was significantly higher in alcoholics with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.
- No significant correlation was found between liver and serum gamma-GT activities in the examined patients.
Conclusions:
- Liver gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) activity is elevated in chronic alcoholics but lacks correlation with serum levels.
- Serum gamma-GT levels are higher in alcoholics with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis).
- Determination of liver gamma-GT activity has limited clinical significance for monitoring chronic alcoholics.