A study of serum Gamma Glutamyl Transferase activity to assess severity in Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction is commonly due to occlusion of the coronary artery following rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque which can cause damage or death (infarction) of heart muscle. Gamma -Glutamyl transferase is an important enzyme in the maintenance of the steady-state concentration of glutathione both inside cells and in the extracellular fluids. Several studies demonstrated that an increase in serum GGT activity can be used as a marker for increased oxidative stress in humans. It has been shown that GGT activity is directly related to the oxidative events, and plays an important role in the evolution of atheromatous plaque. Material and Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed as having myocardial infarction and 50 age and sex matched normal healthy control were studied after taking their written consent. The blood samples were collected under aseptic conditions in plain vacutainer for GGT and CK-MB estimation. GGT estimation was done by Carboxy Substrate Method while CK-MB estimation done by immuno inhibition method on Fully Automated Biochemistry Analyzer Miura 300. Results: Mean serum GGT levels in patients with MI were 32.82