Influence of elevation of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase
by cholestatic liver disease on bone destruction
Yusuke Kawazoe1, Mutsumi Miyauchi1, Susumu Tazuma2,
Hisako Furusyo1,
Keiko Suzuki3, Shumpei
Niida4, Takashi Takata1
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial
Pathobiology,
Division of Clinical
Pharmacotherapeutics, Hiroshima University2
Department of Pharmacology, Showa
University3
Department of Geriatric Sciences,
National Institute for Longevity Sciences4
Patients with cholestatic liver disease show the
elevation of serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (sGGT). It is generally accepted that GGT is an
escape enzyme and has no effect on bone metabolism. We identified GGT as a novel bone resorbing factor.
The elevation of sGGT may be responsible for reduction of bone mass. Influences
of elevated sGGT on bone metabolism were analyzed using rat bile duct ligation
(BDL) model. In BDL-animals, sGGT level and number of osteoclasts were
significantly increased. Bone mineral density and bone mass were markedly
reduced. They were improved by anti-GGT antibody treatment.
These findings
indicated that the elevation of sGGT might be a critical causative factor of
osteoporosis in patients with cholestatic liver disease.