Clinical, virologic and pathologic significance of elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND

Elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is often seen in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is associated with a poor response to interferon treatment. The pathogenesis of these phenomena is unclear. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence of elevated serum GGT in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C and evaluated the clinical, biochemical, virologic and histologic features of this phenomenon.

METHODS

One hundred and twelve patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C were enrolled. Patients who were habitual alcohol drinkers, alcoholics or had diabetes mellitus were excluded.

RESULTS

Forty-three (38.4%) of 112 patients had elevated serum GGT (> 60 U/l). Patients with elevated serum GGT had significantly higher serum levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, significantly higher histologic scores of liver lobular necro-inflammation and fibrosis when compared to patients with normal serum GGT. Elevated serum GGT was not correlated to serum HCV RNA titer or HCV genotype. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a histologic fibrotic score > or = 2 was the only significantly independent predictor associated with elevated serum GGT. Fifty-seven of 112 patients completed a six-month course of interferon treatment. Patients with elevated serum GGT had a significantly lower sustained response rate to interferon when compared to patients with normal serum GGT (8% vs 30%, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum GGT in chronic hepatitis C patients was frequently associated with more severe hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis and may, in part, account for poor response to interferon therapy.