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Duodenal gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity in human biopsies: effect of chronic ethanol consumption and duodenal morphology
Author(s) -
SEITZ H. K.,
VELASQUEZ D.,
WALDHERR R.,
VEITH S.,
CZYGAN P.,
WEBER E.,
DEUTSCHDIESCHER O. G.,
KOMMERELL B.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1985.tb00167.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gamma glutamyltransferase , duodenum , gastroenterology , alcohol , alcohol consumption , biopsy , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
. Gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity was determined in duodenal biopsies, and in the sera of forty‐six non‐alcoholic and eighteen alcoholic patients with a daily alcohol consumption of more than 80 g. Additionally, duodenal morphology was examined in biopsy material obtained at the same time. In both alcoholics ( P < 0·05) and in non‐alcoholics ( P < 0·001) the duodenal gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity revealed a significant positive correlation with duodenal villus length. In addition, alcoholics exhibited a significant decrease in duodenal villus length (338 ± 13 vs. 363 ± 13 μm, P < 0·01), and a significant increase in duodenal gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity (13·0 ± 1·4 vs. 8·4 ± 0·6 mU mg ‐1 protein, P < 0·01) when compared to controls. No significant correlation was found between duodenal and serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity in alcoholics and non‐alcoholics. During follow up of two patients, duodenal gamma‐glutamyltransferase activity decreased and duodenal villus length increased after withdrawing alcohol. These data underline the damaging effect of alcohol on the duodenal mucosa and demonstrate that chronic alcohol intake reversibly effects duodenal gamma‐glutamyltransferase. In addition, the small intestine appears of minor importance as an origin for the elevated serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase activities seen in the alcoholic.