Study of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and ferritin levels in normotensive and hypertensive Monks.

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study is to determine the serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and ferritin levels in normotensive and hypertensive monks and to fi nd out whether blood pressure is correlated with serum GGT and ferritin levels in these groups. Normotensive and hypertensive monks age between 40 and 60 years (n=50 each) had participated in the study. Serum GGT was measured by kinetic colorimetric method and serum ferritin level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean serum GGT level of the hypertensive monks was found to be signifi cantly higher than that of the normotensive monks (60.42 ± 25.93 versus 25.32 ± 5.30 U/L) (p < 0.001). The mean serum ferritin level of the hypertensive monks was also found to be signifi cantly higher than that of the normotensive monks (116.87 ± 46.68 versus 37.03 ± 18.79 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure) and serum GGT level was found in hypertensive monks (r = 0.691, p < 0.001; r = 0.482, p < 0.001; r = 0.610, p < 0.001 respectively). No signifi cant correlation between blood pressure and serum ferritin level was found in both groups. An increase in both serum GGT and ferritin levels in the hypertensive group suggested that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension, and they might rather act as prooxidants in hypertension.