title: The Serum Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase - A Non invasive Diagnostic Bio Marker of Chronic Anicteric Non Alcoholic Liver Diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels rise and return to normal levels later in the chronic anicteric non alcoholic liver diseases than the transaminases levels. So, the estimation of GGT is of some value in monitoring the progress of acute to chronic hepatitis, when the values persist in high levels.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the serum GGT levels in patients with chronic anicteric non alcoholic liver diseases and to show that it can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of chronic anicteric non alcoholic liver disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a case control study, in which 50 cases and 50 controls were selected.The liver function tests with a special reference to the serum level of GGT were measured in the laboratory for both the cases and the controls and the serum GGT levels of the cases were compared with those of the controls. The Chi-square and the Fisher exact tests were used to find the significance of the proportions of the study parameters between the cases and the controls. The Student's t test (two tailed) was used to find the significance mean pattern of the study parameters between the cases and the controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum GGT level was 38.73±11 IU/L in the cases and in the controls, it was 20.42±9 IU/L(p<0.001).The mean value of serum ALT was 41.37±12.5 vs 16.3±8iu/l(p<0.001), that of AST was 28.14±8 vs 17.56±8.5iu/l(p<0.05), that of total bilirubin was 0.9±0.3 vs 0.5±0.2mg/dl and that of serum albumin was 4.17±0.6 vs 4.5±0.75gm/dl, as were seen in the cases and the controls respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase level was elevated more consistently along with the alanine transaminase level in all types of anicteric nonalcoholic chronic liver diseases. The alanine transminase level has already been proved to be a marker in the diagnosis of chronic anicteric nonalcoholic liver diseases. So, in view of the persistent elevation, along with the high sensitivity, the elevated gamma glutamyl transpeptidase level can also be used as a noninvasive bio marker of chronic anicteric nonalcoholic liver diseases for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Srinivasa Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center , Mukka, Surathkal, Mangalore, Karnataka-574146, India .
authors.forename: Krishnamurthy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: H A
keywords: Fatty liver; Hepatitis; Serum GGT; Ultrasound abdomen