Alpha glutathione S-transferase as a biochemical marker of hepatocellular damage in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

ABSTRACT

Alpha glutathione S-transferase [alpha GST] has been advocated as a better marker of hepatocellular damage than the transaminases in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. We have assessed the potential interest of plasma alpha GST determination in 58 patients proved to have chronic hepatitis C [HCV]. The patients were divided into two groups; Group-1, included 29 patients with chronic hepatitis C alone and group-H included 29 patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. In addition to 15 healthy volunteers as a control group. Blood samples were assayed for aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], G-glutamyltransferase [GGT] and alpha GST.The results showed that in group-I, there was a statistically significant elevation of ALT. AST, GGT and alpha GST in comparison to the control group. There was no significant correlation between alpha GST and all the studied liver enzymes. Also, there was insignificant correlation between alpha GST levels and HCV-RNA level. In group-II, alpha GST was elevated, but its elevation was insignificant in comparison with the control group.ROC curve analysis revealed alpha GST had a better diagnostic sensitivity andspecificity [68.97% and 72.41 %, respectively] and diagnostic efficacy of 70.69%. It's cutoff level was 1.7 ng/ml. Meanwhile, ALT gave a diagnostic sensitivity [58.62%], diagnostic specificity [62.07%] and a diagnostic efficacy of 60.34%. The association of alpha GST with ALT may improve the biochemical assessment of liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C, as it gave a similar sensitivity [62.07%] and a better specificity [82.76%], hence resulting in a better diagnostic efficacy [72.41%]