Determination of plasma alpha-glutathione S-transferases in patients with HCV-related chronic infection: its significance and possible clinical relevance.
OBJECTIVE
Alpha-glutathione S-transferases (alpha-GST) are the cytoplasmatic class of enzymes responsible for cellular detoxifying processes. We evaluated the plasma alpha-GST activity in relation to chronic infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV).


METHODS
Eighteen anti-HCV-negative healthy subjects (controls), 32 anti-HCV-positive subjects with a constant normality of alanine aminotransferases (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) levels ("apparently healthy carriers"), and 85 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (40 chronic hepatitis, 27 cirrhosis, and 18 with hepatocellular carcinoma) were studied. We assayed plasma alpha-GST in all subjects upon their entry into the study; and every 6 months for 3 years in the control group and in anti-HCV apparently healthy carriers.


RESULTS
Alpha-GST values were significantly higher than normal values in 57% of the 21 HCV-RNA-positive apparently healthy carriers and in none of 11 persistently HCV-RNA-negative subjects; the highest increment of alpha-GST was documented in patients with chronic hepatitis. We did not observe correlation among HCV-RNA, histological activity, gamma-GT and ALT or alpha-GST values.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, the increment of plasma alpha-GST indicates a liver involvement even when ALT levels are normal. This may be clinically relevant to "apparently healthy carriers" whose plasma alpha-GST values, when increased, might need further evaluation.
Loguercio
C
C
Department of Internal Medicine F. Magrassi, II University of Naples, Italy.
Tuccillo
C
C
Caporaso
N
N
Del Vecchio Blanco
G
G
Morisco
F
F
Guerriero
C
C
di Santolo
S S
SS
Valenza
L M
LM
Del Vecchio Blanco
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood*; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D005982:Glutathione Transferase