Which statement about gamma-glutamyltransferase is false?

Which statement about gamma-glutamyltransferase is false?

• A. Present in almost all cells of the body
• B. Elevated in liver and some pancreatic diseases
• C. Elevated in chronic alcoholism
• D. Elevated in bone disease

Answer: (D)

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a liver and biliary tract enzyme that rises with hepatobiliary injury and with chronic alcohol use. It is present in many tissues, especially liver and kidney, and is used clinically as a sensitive indicator of biliary obstruction or alcohol-related liver disease. Because of this liver-oriented distribution and regulation, elevations are not typically seen with bone disorders. So the statement about being elevated in bone disease is the false one. Bone diseases are more commonly linked to alkaline phosphatase elevations, not GGT. A practical use of this knowledge is that if alkaline phosphatase is high, a concurrent normal GGT points toward a bone origin, while an elevated GGT suggests a liver/biliary source.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a liver and biliary tract enzyme that rises with hepatobiliary injury and with chronic alcohol use. It is present in many tissues, especially liver and kidney, and is used clinically as a sensitive indicator of biliary obstruction or alcohol-related liver disease. Because of this liver-oriented distribution and regulation, elevations are not typically seen with bone disorders.

So the statement about being elevated in bone disease is the false one. Bone diseases are more commonly linked to alkaline phosphatase elevations, not GGT. A practical use of this knowledge is that if alkaline phosphatase is high, a concurrent normal GGT points toward a bone origin, while an elevated GGT suggests a liver/biliary source.