Is gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase a biomarker for oxidative stress in periodontitis?

Context: Periodontal disease and oxidative stress (OS) are part of a vicious cycle with each causing a deleterious effect on the other causing changes in the levels of antioxidants, and enzymes of antioxidant defense. Biomarkers and methods used for measuring OS are very expensive.

Aims: To see how gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) fares, as a biomarker for OS in periodontits along with other routinely used biomarkers.

Design: A cross-sectional study involving 300 people of which 150 were cases and 150 were controls.

Setting: Candidates enrolled were patients visiting the OPD of MGV's Dental College and Hospital, Nasik, India between January 2011 and December 2012.

Materials And Methods: Serum samples of patients with periodontitis, and controls were analyzed for malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), uric acid, and GGT.

Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis was performed using Student's t test. P <0.05 were considered to be significant.

Results: Malondialdehyde values were found to be significantly higher cases, while SOD, GPx and uric acid levels were found to be lower than controls. GGT levels were significantly higher in cases as compared to controls.

Conclusions: GGT may be used as a cheap, quick, easy and precise marker for measuring OS.