Gamma - glutamyl transpeptidase

GAMMA - GLUTAMYL TRANSPEPTIDASE (GGT)
  • Although present in many tissues, the majority of serum GGT is derived from the liver. Although abundant in renal tubular epithelium, it is accepted that serum levels are not elevated after kidney damage as the released enzyme is lost in the renal filtrate. Activity usually parallels that of ALP, but it is perhaps less influenced by hepatocyte necrosis and more by biliary epithelium disease.
  • It appears that serum GGT is more specific (87%) than serum ALP (51%) in the detection of hepatobiliary disease, but less sensitive (50%) than ALP (80%) . The measurement/interpretation of ALP and GGT in series improves the specificity markedly from 46% to 91%.
Last modified: Wednesday, 22 February 2012, 5:51 AM