The association between serum γ-glutamyl transferase and the dynamics of prealbumin/model for end stage live disease in patients with liver failure caused by hepatitis B virus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the serum γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) level and its clinical significances in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-liver failure (LF) patients. Methods γ-GT levels were detected in 89 LF patients, 30 cases with cirrhosis and 30 healthy controls. Difference of serum γ-GT between survival group and death group in LF patients and dynamics of γ-GT after hospitalization were studied. Survival rate between γ-GT increase group and decrease group were compared. The associations of γ-GT with model for end stage live disease (MELD) and prealbumin were calculated. Results At baseline, the γ-GT levels in LF, cirrhosis and healthy control groups were (149.61±69.86), (123.96 ±59.52) and (48.28±10.25) U/L, respectively, the difference among groups was significant (F=178.150, P<0.05). The survival group in LF patients showed significant increase of γ-GT one week after hospitalization compared with death group ([75.27±10.34] vs [29.47±5.05], t=5.40, P<0.05). The γ-GT increase group showed higher survival rate than γ-GT decrease group [76.19% (48/63) vs23.08% [6/26], χ2=21.76, P<0.05]. Serum γ-GT level in LF patients was positively correlated with both MELD score and prealbumin (r=0.709 and -0.627, respectively, both P<0.05). Conclusions The rise of γ-GT may indicate a better prognosis in LF patients. Serum γ-GT positively correlates with prealbumin and both could reflect the regeneration of hepatocytes. Key words: Liver failure; Prealbumin; γ-glutamyl transferase