Developmental variations of plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase fractions in humans and in laboratory mammalians

Biomarkers. 2012 Feb;17(1):43-7. doi: 10.3109/1354750X.2011.635807. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Abstract

Plasma samples from human cord blood, and fetuses, newborns, and adults of different mammalians species were analyzed by gel-filtration chromatography, to ascertain whether gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) fractions reflect liver maturation. Human cord blood plasma showed higher b-, m-, and s-GGT fraction as compared to adult women. In rat and mouse fetuses and in newborns, b-GGT was the most abundant fraction. As in adult humans, in adult rats, mice, rabbits, sheep, and mini pigs, f-GGT was the most abundant fraction. GGT fractions are a common feature of all mammalian species tested. Their pattern changes seem to reflect liver postnatal maturation, function.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Chromatography, Gel / methods
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / enzymology*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver / enzymology*
  • Liver / growth & development*
  • Mice
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Sheep
  • Swine
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / blood*
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase