The gamma-glutamyltransferase isoenzyme pattern in serum as a signal discriminating between hepatobiliary diseases, including neoplasias.
We have used the gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) isoenzyme pattern in serum as a means for discriminating between hepatobiliary diseases, including neoplasias. The reference pattern, determined in 142 normal subjects with a simplified conventional cellulose acetate electrophoretic procedure, contained two GGT bands, alpha 1-GGT and alpha 2-GGT, in proportions of 60-80% and 20-40%, respectively. Sera from 95 hepatobiliary patients showed typical isoenzyme features: (a) a beta-migrating GGT form that was less than 10% of the total GGT in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and less than or equal to 30% of the total GGT in cirrhosis with intrahepatic cholestasis and in cases of extra- and intrahepatic obstructive jaundice, including liver neoplasias; (b) a gamma-migrating GGT band and (or) a "dep-GGT" (nonmigrating) band in cases of extrahepatic jaundice; and (c) an albumin-migrating GGT band that had a diagnostic sensitivity of 75% for hepatic tumors. The diagnostic specificity of this last band is 92% toward other hepatic disorders and 91% toward nonhepatic neoplasias; we consider it a potential specific marker for primary or metastatic liver neoplasias.
D000328:Adult; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000201:enzymology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase