Serum Levels of Glutamate-Pyruvate Transaminase, Glutamate-Oxaloacetate Transaminase and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in 1494 Patients with Various Genotypes for the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Gene

José María Hernández Pérez; Ignacio Blanco; Agustín Jesús Sánchez Medina; Laura Díaz Hernández; José Antonio Pérez Pérez

doi:10.3390/jcm9123923

Serum Levels of Glutamate-Pyruvate Transaminase, Glutamate-Oxaloacetate Transaminase and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in 1494 Patients with Various Genotypes for the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Gene

J Clin Med. 2020 Dec 3;9(12):3923. doi: 10.3390/jcm9123923.

Authors

José María Hernández Pérez¹, Ignacio Blanco², Agustín Jesús Sánchez Medina³, Laura Díaz Hernández⁴, José Antonio Pérez Pérez⁵

Affiliations

¹ Pulmonology Department, University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38010 Canary Islands, Spain.
² Spanish Registry of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (REDAAT), Respira Foundation, Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), 08029 Barcelona, Spain.
³ University Institute of Sciences and Cybernetic Technologies, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35018 Las Palmas, Spain.
⁴ Digestive System Department, University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38010 Canary Islands, Spain.
⁵ Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Genetic Area, 38206 Canary Islands, Spain.

Abstract

Background: Patients with liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are homozygous for the Z mutation, leading to chronic liver damage.

Objective: To assess the serum levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in patients with different genotypes for the alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) gene.

Methods: Patients (n = 1494) underwent genotyping of the SERPINA1 gene, together with a determination of AAT and GOT and GPT and GGT transaminase levels. Patients with a deficient allele (n = 476) and with a normal genotype were compared.

Results: A statistically significant association was found between deficient genotypes and GOT (p < 0.0003), GPT (p < 0.002), and GGT (p < 0.006). Comparing GOT levels in patients with PI*Z deficient variant versus those with normal genotype, an odds ratio (OR) of 2.72 (CI: 1.5-4.87) (p < 0.0005) was obtained. This finding was replicated with the PI*Z allele and the GPT values (OR = 2.31; CI: 1.45-3.67; p < 0.0003). In addition, a statistically significant association was found between liver enzymes and AAT values.

Conclusion: The PI*Z allele seemed to be a risk factor for the development of liver damage. AAT deficient genotypes were associated with GOT, GPT, and GGT altered values. Low AAT levels were associated with high GPT and GGT levels.

Keywords: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase; glutamate-pyruvate transaminase; liver disease.