Evaluation of serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity among type-2 diabetic patients in Erbil

Abstract

Background and objective: Gamma-glutamyl transferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a glutamyl residue the acceptor through the glutamates gamma carboxylic acid to an amino acid. This study aimed to evaluate the serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity in type 2 diabetic patients and find out other confounding factors like age and gender effects.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2016 in collaboration between the Clinical Biochemistry Department at the College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University and the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Science and Health of Koya University. The study included 50 type 2 diabetic patients (group 1), and 50 healthy individuals (group 2).Results: The mean value of serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients (group 1) than that of healthy individuals (group 2) (P <0.001). The mean value of serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity in men diabetic patients was non significantly lower than women diabetic patients. The mean value of serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity in diabetic patients whose age was ≥50 years was non significantly higher than diabetic patients whose age was <50 years.Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that high serum gamma glutamyl transferase activity is an independent factor and has considerable potential in diagnosing and monitoring for type 2 diabetic patients.