Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase as oxidative stress marker in pre-and postmenopausal Iraqi women

ABSTRACT

The primary role of gamma-glutamyltransferase is to metabolize reduced glutathione by assimilating and utilizing precursor amino acids for intracellular glutathione synthesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the exact role of gamma-glutamyltransferase enzyme in the oxidative stress associated with menopause. This study was carried out at the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, Al Nahrain University from October 2009 to January 2010. The study participants were categorized into two groups; premenopausal group [n=17] and postmenopausal group [n=16]. Blood specimens were collected from each participant by vein puncture procedure. The g-glutamyltransferase enzyme was measured by kinetic spectrophotometric method while glutathione and malondialdehyde were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Serum glutathione levels in pre- and postmenopausal women were 0.62 +/- 0.17 and 0.47 +/- 0.11 mmol/L respectively. Serum g-glutamyltransferase levels increased significantly in the postmenopausal women group [p=0.025] compared to the premenopausal women group. Serum malondialdehyde levels were 1.04 +/- 0.06 and 1.32 +/- 0.05 mmol/L in pre- and postmenopausal groups respectively. Serum g-glutamyltransferase may be considered as an index of oxidative stress associated with menopause