Summary
- Urinary αGST is a sensitive biomarker for environmental nephrotoxicity due to heavy metals and organic solvents.
- Urinary αGST levels correlate with the extent of exposure.
- Urinary αGST levels decline when subjects are removed from exposure.
Selected Articles
1) Biologic markers of oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity as studied in biomonitoring of adverse effects of occupational exposure to lead and cadmium.
Garçon, G., Leleu, B., Zerimech, F., Marez, T., Haguenoer, J.M., Furon, D. and Shirali, P. (2004).
J. Occup. Environ. Med. 46(11) 1180-6.
- 35 workers from a non-ferrous smelter studied.
- Urinary αGST correlated with exposure to lead and/or cadmium.
2) Biological monitoring of kidney function among workers occupationally exposed to trichloroethylene.
Green, T., Dow, J., Ong, C.N., Ng, V., Ong, H.Y., Zhuang, Z.X., Yang, X.F. and Bloemen, L. (2004).
J. Occup. Environ. Med. 61(4) 312-7.
- 70 exposed subjects and 54 controls studied.
- Increases in urinary αGST correlated with urinary levels of trichloroethylene metabolites.
3) Land contamination and urinary abnormalities: cause for concern?
Staples, B., Howse, M.L., Mason. H. and Bell, G.M. (2003) Occup. Environ. Med. 60(7) 463-7.
- 70 subjects who had been environmentally exposed to hexachlorobutadiene; 47 of which attended a follow up visit 10 months after re-location.
- Subjects had elevated urinary αGST.
- αGST fell after subjects moved away from the contaminated area.
4) Glutathione transferase alpha as a marker for tubular damage after trichloroethylene exposure.
Brüning, T., Sundberg, A.G., Birner, G., Lammert, M., Bolt, H.M., Appelkvist, E.L., Nilsson, R. and Dallner, G. (1999).
Arch. Toxicol. 73(4-5) 246-54.
- 39 workers studied.
- αGST was elevated, but not πGST, indicating proximal tubular injury.
- αGST was higher when there were biochemical signs of more severe proximal tubular injury.
5) Glutathione transferases in the urine: Sensitive methods for detection of kidney damage induced by nephrotoxic agents in humans.
Sundberg, A., Appelkvist, E.L., Dallner, G. and Nilsson, R. (1995). Environmental Health Perspectives 102 (Suppl 3) 293-296.
- 15 subjects exposed to cadmium and 25 controls studied.
- Subjects exposed to cadmium showed increased urinary αGST.
6) Radioimmunoassay measurement of urinary ligandin excretion in nephrotoxin treated rats.
Bass, N.M. et al. (1979). Clinical Science, 56 419-426.
- 6 rats dosed with mercuric chloride and 6 with potassium dichromate.
- Urinary αGST levels were related to the degree of proximal tubular necrosis.
- Urinary αGST levels were related to the time course of the injury.
