Which enzyme is the most sensitive indicator for liver damage from ethanol intake?

Which enzyme is the most sensitive indicator for liver damage from ethanol intake?

• A. ALT
• B. AST
• C. GGT
• D. Alkaline phosphatase

Answer: (C)

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is the enzyme most sensitive to ethanol exposure in the liver. Ethanol induces certain liver enzymes through the microsomal (drug-metabolizing) system, and GGT activity rises as part of that induction. Because of this, GGT levels can become elevated with alcohol intake even when there isn’t clear hepatocellular damage yet, making it a more sensitive marker for alcohol-related liver effects than the other enzymes listed. ALT and AST reflect hepatocellular injury, but they may remain normal with early or modest alcohol exposure and tend to rise when there is more direct liver cell damage. Alkaline phosphatase is more tied to cholestasis and bone turnover and is not specifically responsive to alcohol use. So, among these options, GGT best signals ethanol-related liver effects.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is the enzyme most sensitive to ethanol exposure in the liver. Ethanol induces certain liver enzymes through the microsomal (drug-metabolizing) system, and GGT activity rises as part of that induction. Because of this, GGT levels can become elevated with alcohol intake even when there isn’t clear hepatocellular damage yet, making it a more sensitive marker for alcohol-related liver effects than the other enzymes listed.

ALT and AST reflect hepatocellular injury, but they may remain normal with early or modest alcohol exposure and tend to rise when there is more direct liver cell damage. Alkaline phosphatase is more tied to cholestasis and bone turnover and is not specifically responsive to alcohol use. So, among these options, GGT best signals ethanol-related liver effects.