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Journal of clinical virology: the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology 03/2013; · 3.12 Impact Factor
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Roberta Lamanna,
Alessandro Corti,
Mariacarla Iorio,
Francesca Nocchi,
Patrizia Urciuoli,
Simone Lapi, Fabrizio Scatena,
Maria Franzini,
Renato Vanacore,
Evelina Lorenzini,
Vanna Fierabracci,
Aldo Paolicchi
Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue 02/2013; · 2.10 Impact Factor
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Michele Curcio,
Diego Cantarovich,
Serena Barbuti,
Ugo Boggi,
Silvia Chelazzi,
Daniele Focosi,
Simone Lapi,
Gabriella Paleologo,
Gaetano Rizzo, Fabrizio Scatena,
Fabio Vistoli,
Orazio Vittorio,
Silvano Presciuttini,
Franco Mosca
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ABSTRACT: The biological significance of donor-specific microchimerism (DSM) in solid organ transplantation is unresolved. It has been reported both as a favourable feature, which may facilitate induction and maintenance of tolerance, and as a sign of graft-vs-host disease. Here, we applied a quantitative real-time PCR assay (qRT-PCR) to a selected series of kidney transplant recipients to measure the level of microchimerism in relation to allograft function and survival. DSM level was assessed by scoring the HLA-DRB1 locus in 54 patients (42 males, 12 females) with more than 2 years of follow-up after transplantation; 38 patients were considered to have stable renal function (SRF) and 16 had allograft dysfunction (AD). Among patients with AD, 12 (75%) showed detectable level of microchimerism, compared to 11 (29%) SRF patients (Odds Ratio 7.36, 95% CI 1.7-35.2; p<0.01). In addition, AD patients showed a higher mean donor genome equivalents (6.5×10(-5) vs. 2.4×10(-5); p<0.001). SRF patients were re-evaluated two years later; 2 out of 27 DSM negative vs. 2 out of 11 DSM positive had lost their transplanted organ. In conclusion, qRT-PCR applied to peripheral blood shows significant association between DSM and allograft dysfunction in kidney transplant patients.
Transplant Immunology 11/2011; 26(2-3):151-5. · 1.46 Impact Factor
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Journal of Medical Virology 06/2011; 83(6):1060-2. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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Fabio Vistoli,
Vistoli Fabio,
Daniele Focosi,
Focosi Daniele,
Monica De Donno,
De Donno Monica,
Simone Giannecchini,
Giannecchini Simone,
Maria Luciana Mariotti,
Mariotti Maria Luciana, [......],
Massimiliano Barsotti,
Barsotti Massimiliano,
Rene Duquesnoy,
Duquesnoy Rene,
Piero Marchetti,
Marchetti Piero, Fabrizio Scatena,
Scatena Fabrizio,
Ugo Boggi,
Boggi Ugo
Transplant International 03/2011; 24(3):e28-9. · 2.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The amnion is a particular tissue whose cells show features of multipotent stem cells proposed for use in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine. From equine amnion collected after the foal birth we have isolated MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells), namely EAMSCs (equine amnion mesenchymal stem cells), from the mesoblastic layer. The cells were grown in α-MEM (α-modified minimum essential medium) and the effect of EGF (epidermal growth factor) supplementation was evaluated. To assess the growth kinetic of EAMSCs we have taken into account some parameters [PD (population doubling), fold increase and DT (doubling time)]. The differentiation in chondrogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic types of cells and their epitope expression by a cytofluorimetric study have been reported. EGF supplementation of the culture medium resulted in a significant increase in PD growth parameter and in the formation of bone nodules for the osteogenic differentiation. By immunohistochemistry the amnion tissue shows a positivity for the c-Kit (cluster tyrosine-protein kinase), CD105 and Oct-4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4) antigens that confirmed the presence of MSCs with embryonic phenotype.
Cell biology international reports. 01/2011; 18(1):e00011.
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ABSTRACT: Periodontitis is a complex multifactorial disease and is typically polygenic in origin. Genes play a fundamental part in each biologic process forming complex networks of interactions. However, only some genes have a high number of interactions with other genes in the network and may, therefore, be considered to play an important role. In a preliminary bioinformatic analysis, five genes that showed a higher number of interactions were identified and termed leader genes. In the present study, we use real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to evaluate the expression levels of leader genes in the leukocytes of 10 patients with refractory chronic periodontitis and compare the expression levels with those of the same genes in 24 healthy patients.
Blood was collected from 24 healthy human subjects and 10 patients with refractory chronic periodontitis and placed into heparinized blood collection tubes by personnel trained in phlebotomy using a sterile technique. Blood leukocyte cells were immediately lysed by using a kit for total RNA purification from human whole blood. Complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis was obtained from total RNA and then real-time quantitative PCR was performed. PCR efficiencies were calculated with a relative standard curve derived from a five cDNA dilution series in triplicate that gave regression coefficients >0.98 and efficiencies >96%. The standard curves were obtained using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and growth factor receptor binding protein 2 (GRB2), casitas B-lineage lymphoma (CBL), nuclear factor-KB1 (NFKB1), and REL-A (gene for transcription factor p65) gene primers and amplified with 1.6, 8, 40, 200, and 1,000 ng/μL total cDNA. Curves obtained for each sample showed a linear relationship between RNA concentrations and the cycle threshold value of real-time quantitative PCR for all genes. Data were expressed as mean ± SE (SEM). The groups were compared to the analysis of variance. A probability value <0.01 was considered statistically significant.
The present study agrees with the preliminary bioinformatics analysis. In our experiments, the association of pathology with the genes was statistically significant for GRB2 and CBL (P <0.01), and it was not statistically significant for REL-A and NFKB1.
This article lends support to our preliminary hypothesis that assigned an important role in refractory aggressive periodontitis to leader genes.
Journal of Periodontology 12/2010; 82(7):1018-24. · 2.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The axiom of human leukocyte incompatibility (HLA) incompatibility has always led scientists to consider cancer transmission between HLA-different individuals impossible. In fact, cancer transmission between individuals represents a frightening possibility in animal populations with limited HLA diversity or for rare cancers exploiting downregulation of HLA expression. We review here evidence from nonhuman models and settings for interhuman transmission.
Human immunology 10/2010; 72(1):1-4. · 2.55 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is associated with high mortality rates. TTP may have various and different presentations depending on the organs involved. It is now recognized to be the consequence of reduction of blood levels of the disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-13. Prompt diagnosis of TTP is paramount, because plasma exchange is the only treatment capable of improving patient's survival with a dual mechanism: removal of anti-ADAMTS-13 auto-antibodies and infusion of the active protease available in the fresh frozen plasma. We report herein on the challenges in diagnosing TTP-like complications of post-surgical facial surgery in a young male patient.
Transfusion and Apheresis Science 10/2010; 43(2):167-70. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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Maria Franzini,
Aldo Paolicchi,
Irene Fornaciari,
Virginia Ottaviano,
Vanna Fierabracci,
Maristella Maltinti,
Andrea Ripoli,
Luc Zyw, Fabrizio Scatena,
Claudio Passino,
Alfonso Pompella,
Michele Emdin
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ABSTRACT: Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity (GGT), even when within its normal reference range, catalyzes low density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro and predicts cardiovascular events. Of the four GGT fractions (b-GGT, m-GGT, s-GGT, and f-GGT) recently identified in blood, only b-GGT is found within atherosclerotic plaques. Our goal was to identify the determinants of the GGT fractions (b-, m-, s-, and f-GGT) and their association with established cardiovascular risk factors in healthy subjects.
Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to estimate the association of fractional GGT with gender, age, body mass index, arterial pressure (AP), plasma glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high and low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in 200 healthy subjects.
All GGT fractions were associated with ALT; b-GGT with AP, TG, and CRP; m-GGT with LDL-C, TG and CRP; s-GGT with TG and CRP, and f-GGT only with LDL-C, whereas gender was associated with s-GGT and f-GGT only.
In healthy individuals, cardiovascular risk factors are associated with high molecular weight GGT fractions, namely with b-GGT, the only form present within the plaque. This finding adds to the present knowledge concerning the relevance of GGT, within its reference range, for atherosclerosis-related events.
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 02/2010; 48(5):713-7. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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Patrizia Urciuoli,
Simona Passeri,
Francesca Ceccarelli,
Barbara Luchetti,
Aldo Paolicchi,
Simone Lapi,
Francesca Nocchi,
Roberta Lamanna,
Mariacarla Iorio,
Renato Vanacore,
Alessandro Mazzoni, Fabrizio Scatena
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ABSTRACT: . The fact that only a small percentage of cord blood units (CBU) stored are actually used for transplantation contributes to raising the already high costs of their processing and cryopreservation. The identification of predictors allowing the early identification of suitable CBU would allow a reduction of costs for the collection, storage and characterisation of CBU with insufficient volume or cell numbers. In our bank we have adopted a cut-off value for using CBU of 8 x 10(8) nucleated cells and a volume >or= 60 mL.
In 365 banked CBU, we evaluated the correlation between neonatal/gestational parameters and laboratory data used to assess their quality.
Biparietal diameter (BPD) and abdominal circumference were significantly and positively correlated with CBU volume (r(2)=0.12, p=0.0011 and r(2)=0.092, p=0.0063, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that both parameters can be used to identify CBU with insufficient volume (BPD: area under the curve 0.69, 95% CI=0.57-0.82, p=0.004; abdominal circumference: area under the curve 0.67, 95% CI=0.54-0.79, p<0.01). BPD and head circumference, but not abdominal circumference or femoral length, were positively correlated with white blood cell (WBC) count (r(2)=0.215, p=0.031, and r(2)=0.299, p=0.015, respectively). Abdominal circumference, but not BPD, head circumference or femoral length, was statistically significantly correlated with the number of CD34(+) cells in the CBU. Weight at birth and placental weight were positively correlated with WBC count, blood volume, CD34(+) cell count, total colony-forming units and burst-forming units.
. Pre-birth assessment of BPD might allow the selection of donors who would yield CBU of sufficient volume and WBC count and avoid the costs of collecting, transferring, storing and analysing CBU with a high probability of resulting unsuitable for transplantation.
Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue 01/2010; 8(1):36-43. · 2.10 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hypnotizability is associated with a few physiological characteristics also in the normal awake state. Differences in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) have been observed in subjects with high (Highs) or low (Lows) hypnotizability during nociceptive stimulation. FMD is largely due to the nitric oxide (NO) produced by vascular endothelium through the activity of NO synthase (eNOS). Endothelial NOS is encoded by the NOS3 locus. Aim of this pilot study was to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of NOS3 involved in NO blood levels and hypnotizability. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NOS3 gene were analyzed in the DNA of 24 Highs, 22 Lows, and 61 newborns. Two SNPs, rs1800783 (-1474 T/A) and rs2070744 (-786 T/C), located in the upstream and promoter region of the gene, respectively, showed significant differences between Highs and Lows in allele frequency. Haplotype analysis showed that the newborns were in linkage equilibrium for these SNPs, whereas both Highs and Lows showed linkage disequilibrium. The A-C haplotype (associated with lower NO availability in the general population) was more frequent in Highs, and the T-T haplotype was more frequent in Lows. Thus, the lower FMD reduction observed in Highs during nociceptive stimulation, which is indicative of higher NO availability, should be due to greater efficacy of shear stress-related transcriptional factors and/or to lower effects of NOS inhibitory controls. A consequent theoretical proposal concerns the possible role of NO in the brain vessels where, in stimulation conditions, NO diffusion to the extracellular compartment might be involved in hypnotic responding.
Neuroscience Letters 10/2009; 467(3):252-5. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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Lucio Urbani,
Alessandro Mazzoni,
Lucia Bindi,
Gianni Biancofiore,
Massimo Bisà,
Luca Meacci,
Massimo Esposito,
Roberto Mozzo,
Piero Colombatto,
Irene Bianco, [......],
Gabriele Catalano,
Umberto Montin,
Giovanni Tincani,
Emanuele Balzano,
Stefania Petruccelli,
Paola Carrai,
Carlo Tascini,
Francesco Menichetti, Fabrizio Scatena,
Franco Filipponi
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present work was to assess the incidence of neuro-nephrotoxicity after a single-staggered dose of calcineurin inhibitors (CI) with different immunosuppressive approaches. From January to December 2006, all liver transplantation (LT) recipients at risk of renal or neurological complications treated with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) + mycophenolate mofetil + steroids and staggered introduction of CI (ECP group) were compared with a historical control group on standard CI-based immunosuppression. The ECP group included 24 patients with a mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of 19.9 +/- 11.1. The control group consisted of 18 patients with a mean MELD score of 12.5 +/- 5.2 (p = 0.012). In the ECP group CI were introduced at a mean of 9.2 +/- 6.2 d (4-31 d) after LT. Five patients in the ECP group presented acute neuro-nephrotoxicity after the first CI administration on post-transplant d 4, 5, 6, 6, and 14. Overall patient survival at one, six, and 12 months was 100%, 95.8%, and 95.8% in the ECP group vs. 94.4%, 77.7%, and 72.2% in the control group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, we showed that CI toxicity may occur after a single-staggered dose administration, ECP seems to be a valuable tool for managing CI-related morbidity regardless of the concomitant immunosuppressive regimen, being associated with a lower mortality rate in the early post-transplant course.
Clinical Transplantation 01/2009; 23(6):853-60. · 1.67 Impact Factor
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Simona Passeri,
Francesca Nocchi,
Roberta Lamanna,
Simone Lapi,
Vincenzo Miragliotta,
Elisabetta Giannessi,
Francesca Abramo,
Maria Rita Stornelli,
Micheletino Matarazzo,
Daniele Plenteda,
Patrizia Urciuoli, Fabrizio Scatena,
Alessandra Coli
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ABSTRACT: Stem cells from extra-embryonic sources can be obtained by non-invasive procedures. We have standardized a method for the expansion of equine umbilical cord-derived matrix cells (EUCMCs) for potential therapy. EUCMCs were isolated from the umbilical cord of five mares immediately after delivery. For expansion, cells were grown in alpha-MEM and MSCBM. Moreover, to measure the effect of growth factor supplementation, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was added to alpha-MEM. alpha-MEM and MSCBM media performed similarly in terms of population doubling and CFU number value. EGF supplementation of alpha-MEM determined a significant increase of the population doubling value. EGF supplementation did not affect the adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation while bone nodule sizes an increased with the osteogenic protocol. Both alpha-MEM and MSCBM can be used to cultivate EUCMCs. alpha-MEM supplemented with EGF might represent an advantage for EUCMCs expansion. The results could be useful in choosing the culture medium since alpha-MEM is more cost-effective than MSCBM.
Cell Biology International 12/2008; 33(1):100-5. · 1.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Donor's age and immunosuppression influence the severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence. We analyzed the 18-month mortality in 302 consecutive HCV recipients, divided into three groups, with homogeneous immunosuppression and preemptive antiviral therapy in the last group.
Group 1: one hundred thirty-three patients (1996-2000) mainly received a triple therapy (steroids- cyclosporine A [CyA]-azathioprine); first line treatment of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) was with steroid boluses; second-line with OKT3. Group 2: ninety-one patients (2001-2003) mainly received a double therapy (steroids-CyA) and induction with anti-CD25 antibody; first-line BPAR treatment was increased dose/switch of the calcineurin inhibitor; second-line steroid boluses; third-line extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). Group 3: seventy-eight patients (2004-June 2006) mainly received a monotherapy (CyA) associated with ECP and induction with anti-CD25 antibody; first-line BPAR treatment was increased dose/switch of calcineurin inhibitor with increased ECP frequency, second-line steroid boluses, and third-line retransplantation.
Median donor's age increased from 54 (13-84) years in group 1 to 60 (10-93) years in group 2 and 66 (17-84) years in group 3 (P<0.001). Overall mortality in groups 1, 2, and 3 decreased from 28.6% to 22% and 10.2% respectively (P = 0.003); HCV-related mortality from 7.5% and 12.1% to 1.3%, respectively (P = 0.029). BPAR were 33.8% in group 1 and 9.0% in group 3. Applicability of the preemptive antiviral therapy in group 3 was 69.2%. Sustained viral clearance occurred in 38.9% of 36 patients who completed the protocol. At multivariate analysis, a single-drug immunosuppressive regimen was the only variable independently associated with survival (P=0.05).
Low and steady immunosuppression combined with preemptive antiviral therapy significantly improved the short-term mortality of HCV recipients transplanted with aged organs. Prolonged follow-up will assess whether this benefit is maintained in the long run.
Transplantation 12/2008; 86(12):1666-71. · 4.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate granulocytapheresis (GCAP) in active ulcerative colitis (UC), with particular attention to the long-term effects of such treatment.
We included 80 patients with UC. Activity of the disease was evaluated by clinical activity index and endoscopic index. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: Group A received a five-session (1 session/week) treatment with GCAP, Group B were treated with i.v. or i.m. methylprednisolone (MP). Concomitant therapy with oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) 2.4 g/day was maintained in both groups. Subjects who achieved a remission were clinically and endoscopically followed for 12 months after the end of GCAP or MP.
Remission was observed in 72.5% of those treated with GCAP versus 50% of those treated with MP. After a 12-month follow up, a sustained remission was recorded in 40% of those treated with GCAP and in 25% of those treated with MP. During the GCAP only a transient mild headache was recorded in 10% of patients, whereas side-effects were observed in 50% of those treated with MP (P < 0.05).
GCAP results were superior to MP for the treatment of UC, even though no statistically significant difference was observed. Side-effects in the GCAP group were significantly lower than in the MP group. This new therapeutic approach seems able to maintain the condition of remission for a longer time after a flare. In fact, the patients who had obtained a remission after a course of CGAP showed fewer relapses during the follow up compared to the patients treated with MP.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 10/2008; 23(11):1678-82. · 2.87 Impact Factor
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Beatrice Chelli,
Alessandra Salvetti,
Eleonora Da Pozzo,
Mariarosa Rechichi,
Francesca Spinetti,
Leonardo Rossi,
Barbara Costa,
Annalisa Lena,
Giuseppe Rainaldi, Fabrizio Scatena,
Renato Vanacore,
Vittorio Gremigni,
Claudia Martini
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ABSTRACT: Gliomas are the most common brain tumours with a poor prognosis due to their aggressiveness and propensity for recurrence. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) has been demonstrated to be greatly expressed in glioma cells and its over-expression has been correlated with glioma malignance grades. Due to both its high density in tumours and the pro-apoptotic activity of its ligands, TSPO has been suggested as a promising target in gliomas. With the aim to evidence if the TSPO expression level alters glioma cell susceptibility to undergo to cell death, we analysed the effects of the specific TSPO ligand, PK 11195, in human astrocytoma wild-type and TSPO-silenced cell lines. As first step, TSPO was characterised in human astrocytoma cell line (ADF). Our data demonstrated the presence of a single class of TSPO binding sites highly expressed in mitochondria. PK 11195 cell treatment activated an autophagic pathway followed by apoptosis mediated by the modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition. In TSPO-silenced cells, produced by siRNA technique, a reduced cell proliferation rate and a decreased cell susceptibility to the PK 11195-induced anti-proliferative effect and mitochondrial potential dissipation were demonstrated respect to control cells. In conclusion, for the first time, PK 11195 was demonstrated to differentially affect glioma cell survival in relation to TSPO expression levels. These results encourage the development of specific-cell strategies for the treatment of gliomas, in which TSPO is highly expressed respect to normal cells.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 08/2008; 105(3):712-23. · 2.87 Impact Factor
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Maria Franzini,
Virginia Ottaviano,
Vanna Fierabracci,
Emilia Bramanti,
Luc Zyw,
Renata Barsacchi, Fabrizio Scatena,
Claudio Boni,
Chiara Mammini,
Claudio Passino,
Alfonso Pompella,
Michele Emdin,
Aldo Paolicchi
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Gamma-glutamyltransferase activity (GGT), used as biomarker of liver function and alcohol abuse, has been recently recognized as predictor of cardiovascular events. We devised a novel high performance gel-filtration chromatography method (HPGC-GGT), allowing the quantification of four GGT fractions (b-GGT, m-GGT, s-GGT, and f-GGT, with MW>2000, 940, 140, and 70 kDa respectively) in human blood. METHODS: We characterized GGT fractions by HPGC-GGT in plasma from 200 healthy subjects [mean+/-SD, 42+/-11 years, 100 males]. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We assessed reference values of total and fractional GGT levels, which were different between genders (P<0.0001), the free fraction (f-GGT) being the prominent one, whereas interindividual variability stands mostly on the high MW b-GGT and s-GGT fractions.
Clinica Chimica Acta 06/2008; 395(1-2):188-9. · 2.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Two missense mutations of the HFE gene, one (C282Y) being a major gene for hereditary hemochromatosis and the other (H63D) playing a minor role in this disease, are carried by different haplotypes. Among other sequence variants of HFE, IVS2+4t/c polymorphism has been reported as a possible splicing mutation or risk modifier. Our aims were to identify sequence variants possibly associated with iron overload in our population, to study the intragenic haplotypes of the HFE gene, and to evaluate the role of IVS2+4t/c in hyperferritinemia.
We screened by direct sequencing the coding sequence and intron-exon boundaries of HFE in 265 patients with hyperferritinemia and 185 subjects from the general population.
Linkage disequilibrium between the three pairs of polymorphic sites was complete between H63D and C282Y, whereas all four gametic types were present for both the H63D-IVS2+4t/c and the IVS2+4t/c-C282Y site pairs. The data supported a model in which the IVS2+4t/c polymorphism was ancestral, the D(63) mutation occurred on the t chromosome, and the Y(282) mutation occurred on the c chromosome; after the population spread of both mutations, intragenic recombination occurred on both sides of the t/c polymorphism, generating the rare haplotypes D(63)-c(IVS2+4)-C(282) and H(63)-t(IVS2+4)-Y(282).
The IVS2+4c/t is a neutral polymorphism with regard to risk of iron overload. The presence of recombinant haplotypes on both its sides suggests a considerable evolutionary age of the two main risk alleles.
European Journal Of Haematology 05/2008; 80(4):341-5. · 2.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The clinical relevance of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity, in areas other than hepatic function, has recently been increased by several epidemiological associations. Still, GGT remains a nonspecific test because of the influence of various pathophysiological factors. We devised a procedure based on gel filtration chromatography, followed by postcolumn injection of fluorescent GGT substrate (gamma-glutamyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin), permitting the quantification of GGT fractions in serum or plasma. Plasma GGT molecular weight distribution was analyzed in healthy volunteers (20 males; mean+/-SD age 38+/-10 years; 20 females; age 44+/-13; total GGT 21+/-11 for males vs 13+/-7 for females; P<0.01). The method is highly sensitive (determination limit: 0.5 U GGT/L), with a linear dynamic range between 0.5 and 150 U/L for each fraction. Four GGT fractions of different molecular weight were detected in all subjects of both genders: b-GGT, m-GGT, s-GGT (likely lipoprotein-bound, molecular masses >2000, 940, and 140kDa, respectively), and a free fraction (f-GGT, 70kDa). f-GGT and s-GGT were the main fractions in subjects with lower and higher total GGT activity, respectively. Higher total GGT activity in males is related mainly to f-GGT (P<0.01). GGT fraction analysis may increase the sensitivity and specificity of the GGT activity test.
Analytical Biochemistry 03/2008; 374(1):1-6. · 3.00 Impact Factor
