Plasma glutathione S-transferase measurements by radioimmunoassay: a sensitive index of hepatocellular damage in man.

Plasma glutathione S-transferase (GST) basic and N/A2b concentrations have been measured by specific radioimmunoassay in serial samples taken from patients admitted following a paracetamol overdose. The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were also measured. The sensitivities of the various measurements for detecting hepatocellular damage were compared. The measurement of either basic or N/A2b GST proved equally sensitive for detecting liver damage and both were superior to aminotransferase measurements. The abnormalities in GST were, on average, approximately 5- to 10-fold greater than the conventional aminotransferase measurements provided that correct timing of sampling was employed. The data presented suggest GST measurement is a sensitive non-invasive method for investigating acute drug-induced hepatotoxicity. The short plasma half-life of GST also allows early recognition of when active cellular damage has ceased.