Studies on γ-glutamyl transpeptidase

(II) The clinical evaluation of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in hepatobiliary disease

Abstract

The clinical meanings of an elevation of the serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase as one of the liver function tests were examined in detail on the patients of various hepatobiliary disorders and the following evaluations were made.
1) Serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels of healthy adults are 29.7±38.5mU/ml for males, and 14.4±15.5mU/ml for females. The activity is readily influenced by aging as well as by habitual intake of alcoholic beverages.
2) As an index for the evaluation of the prognosis of acute hepatitis, when a diagnostic level of serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase set on 100mU/ml and the serum level over 100mU/ml at the onset of the disease means the possibility of the prolongation of the clinical course.
3) This diagnostic value is also reliable for the prediction of histological difference between inactive and active type of chronic hepatitis. Over 100mU/ml means active changes while less than 100mU/ml inactive.
4) The changes of serum enzyme level are far more sensitive than alkaline phosphatase in the case of cholecystobiliary obstruction.
5) The highest range of the serum enzyme level is observed in both primary and secondary hepatoma, while on the isozymograms of the serum, an appearance of the isozyme on α-band usually means primary hepatoma.