Gamma-Glutamyltransferase- Is it a Biomarker of oxidative stress?

Abstract

Gamma- glutamyltransferase (GGT) is known to be involved in the oxidation process of LDL and active GGT has been observed in atherosclerotic plaques. Prospective studies have also recently shown that plasma GGT levels may be correlated with cardiovascular disease, however the mechanism remains unclear. This research examines the hypothesis that it is due to an increased synthesis of GGT protein or increased secretion into the extracellular medium that is associated with oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide and menadione were used to induce oxidative stress in human fetal liver (HFL cells) and human renal proximal tubules epithelial cells (hRPTE cells). The results suggest that there is an increased excretion of GGT into the extracellular medium for hRPTE cells and an increase in GGT level for HFL cells. The conclusion is that GGT protein may respond very differently between cell lines and cell types.