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© 1998 Medical Council on Alcohol

research-article

DETERMINATION OF PLASMA {alpha}-GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASES IN CHRONIC ALCOHOL ABUSERS: RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL INTAKE AND LIVER INVOLVEMENT

C. LOGUERCIO*, V. DE GIROLAMO, A. CUOMO, F. ARGENZIO1, C. IANNOTTA1, D. DISALVO2, A. GRELLA1 and C. DEL VECCHIO BLANCO

Gastroenterological School of Medicine, Second University of Naples Italy
1Toxicological School of Medicine, Second University of Naples Italy
2Villa D'Agri Hospital, Villa D'Agri Potenza, Italy

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: Via Foria, 58. 80137 Naples, Italy

Received 2 September 1997; first review notified 30 January 1998; accepted 5 February 1998

{alpha}-Gluthathione-S-transferascs ({alpha}-GSTs) are enzymes involved in the cellular detoxifying processes; elevated circulating {alpha}-GSTs activity is considered to be an early index of liver damage. Glutathione (GSH) is the substrate for {alpha}-GST action. The aims of our study were: (1) to evaluate plasma GSH levels and {alpha}-GST activity in chronic alcohol abusers with or without liver cirrhosis; (2) to define the relationship between these two biochemical parameters; (3) to establish their clinical relevance in patients with alcohol abuse and/or liver damage. We studied 69 subjects (18 healthy subjects and 51 chronic alcohol abusers: 29 without liver cirrhosis and 22 with). Plasma {alpha}-GST activity was determined on baseline samples and every following day for a total of 10 days in five alcoholics by HEPKIT (Alpha-Biotech, Biotrin International, Dublin, Ireland). GSH was determined on all subjects' baseline samples by fluorescent high-performance liquid chromatography. Alcohol intake was evaluated in all patients by determining blood-alcohol concentrations. Significant increases in plasma {alpha}-GSTs were observed in 9/29 (31%) alcoholics and 3/22 (13.6%) cirrhotics irrespective of their alcohol intake. GSH was significantly lower than normal values (P < 0.001) in all alcoholics with or without cirrhosis (controls 10.4 ± 4.8; alcoholics without cirrhosis 3.9 ± 1.4; alcoholics with cirrhosis 3.3 ± 1.6). No correlation was observed between plasma {alpha}-GST and GSH levels. Our data indicate that: (1) {alpha}-GST activity does not correlate with GSH levels in the plasma; (2) {alpha}-GSTs do not have clinical relevance as markers of recent alcohol intake; (3) in cirrhotics, {alpha}-GST does not provide more information than other liver function tests. However, plasma {alpha}-GST determination may be useful in selecting a subgroup of alcoholics in whom routine biochemical markers of liver damage are within reference ranges.


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