Research Article Details
Article ID: | A44729 |
PMID: | 27512925 |
Source: | Liver Int |
Title: | Gamma-glutamyltransferase-friend or foe within? |
Abstract: | Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a liver enzyme, which is located on the plasma membranes of most cells and organ tissues, but more commonly in hepatocytes, and is routinely used in clinical practice to help indicate liver injury and as a marker of excessive alcohol consumption. Among the liver enzymes, important advances have especially been made in understanding the physiological functions of GGT. The primary role of GGT is the extracellular catabolism of glutathione, the major thiol antioxidant in mammalian cells, which plays a relevant role in protecting cells against oxidants produced during normal metabolism; GGT, therefore, plays an important role in cellular defence. Beyond its physiological functions, circulating serum GGT has been linked to a remarkable array of chronic conditions and diseases, which include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, vascular and nonvascular diseases and mortality outcomes. This review summarizes the available epidemiological and genetic evidence for the associations between GGT and these adverse outcomes, the postulated biologic mechanisms underlying these associations, outlines areas of outstanding uncertainty and the implications for clinical practice. |
DOI: | 10.1111/liv.13221 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
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I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
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D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D158 | Glutathione | Chemical drug | DB00143 | MGST3; HPGDS; GSTM2; GSTM5; GPX7 cofactor; MGST2; GSS; GSTM1; GSTK1; GSTM3; GSTM4; GPX1 cofactor; GPX2 cofactor; GPX3 cofactor | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |