Serum γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and oxidative stress in subjectively healthy women: an association with menopausal stages.

Background: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) is used as a marker of alcohol-related pathology, while γ-GT is recently considered to be an oxidative stress marker.

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between the oxidative status and γ-GT levels, in association with menopausal stages.

Methods: In total, 252 women, who were subjectively healthy, were divided into three groups: premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal. The circulating oxidative status was evaluated by the diacron-reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) test. In addition to serum γ-GT, routine blood investigations, including lipid, glucose, and inflammatory parameters, were performed.

Results: The median γ-GT level was 17 U/L and the mean d-ROM level was 335 Carr U in all subjects. On multiple regression analysis, independent significant positive correlations were observed between d-ROM and high-sensitivity CRP levels in three groups, while there was a significant positive correlation between d-ROM and γ-GT levels only in the premenopausal group but not in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups.

Discussion: The significant relationship between d-ROM and γ-GT at active estrogen stage may indicate a different oxidative stress condition by memopausal stage. The reasons of this relationship should be further explored.

Conclusion: A positive relationship between d-ROM and γ-GT levels, both as known as oxidative stress-related markers, could exist in premenopausal women.