Kinde, Samuel (MSc, PhD fellow)Jemal, Kiyar2018-12-042023-11-062018-12-042023-11-062018-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/14812Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is an enzyme located on the external surface of membranes of various cells. The most important physiological function of GGT is for the extracellular catabolism of glutathione. These catabolism produces the reactive thiol cysteinyl-glycine moiety which causes the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+, thus starting an Fe dependent redox-cycling process resulting in the production of the reactive oxygen species particularly O2* and H2O2, both capable of stimulating pro-oxidant reactions which cause atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders that include diseases of the heart and blood vessels or both. Objective: To assess serum gamma glutamyl transferase enzyme activities among patients with cardiovascular diseases attending Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 participants from Feb. –May 2018 at TASH cardiology unit. The sociodemographic data were collected using well-structured questionnaire. Other additional information, records, and history was taken from participant medical records on working checklist. Venous blood specimens were collected from the participant according to standard guidelines and used to measure serum level of GGT using spectrophotometric techniques. Descriptive analysis, correlation, and chi square, independent sample T-test, one way ANOVA analysis were used for this study. All continuous data’s were expressed in mean ± SD. Results: Among the total study participants 50.5% were male and within age range of 20-78 years. The mean GGT level among CVDs patients (36.2 ± 24.34 U/L) was found statistically and significantly higher than control subjects (26.5 ± 12.9 U/L) with P value of 0.013. GGT level had statistically significant strong and positive correlation with FBS (r=0.206 p = 0.037) and TG (r=0.351 p<0.001). GGT was further positively correlated with TC (r = 0.017), LDL-C (r = 0.121), DBP (r = 0.09), SBP (r = 0.16). Reversely, serum GGT was negatively correlated (r=-0.057) to HDL-C level. Conclusion: Higher level of serum GGT in the CVDs patients was noted. Participants with atherosclerotic risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia had significant higher serum GGT level compared to those without these factors.en-USGamma-Glutamyl Transferase,physiological function of GGTThesis