Abstract

Dear Editor, We have read with great interest the recent study by Marciniak et al which showed statistically significant decrease in total protein levels of gastrectomized 26 rats compared with control group [1]. They found no significant difference between aminotransferases levels. Regarding the investigators’ findings on rats, we aimed to review aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein and albumin levels of our patients followed for post-gastrectomy anemia. Our cases consisted of 21 men and 6 women. Mean age was 57.07±9.36 years (meanIstandard deviation (SD)), and mean interval after gastrectomy was 20.07±9.32 years (meanISD). Partial gastrectomy was performed for complications of peptic ulcer on 26 patients, and total gastrectomy was performed for gastric cancer in one patient. According to laboratory findings at presentation, AST level was slightly elevated (58; normal range 5–40 U/L) in just one patient (3.7%), and ALT levels were slightly elevated (56 and 59; normal range 5–40 U/L) in 2 patients (7.4%). Total protein level was slightly decreased in one patient and albumin level was decreased in one patient (53 and 33 respectively, normal ranges for total protein was 55–88 g/L; and for albumin was 35–55 g/L). Mean follow-up period was 2.07±1.21 years (meanISD), and at the last visit after this period, aminotransferases levels were normal in all patients and total protein level was decreased in one and albumin level was decreased in one patient (48 and 27 respectively). AST, ALT, total protein and albumin levels of our patients at presentation were not statistically different from levels at last control (paired-t test, p value >0.05 for all comparisons). As a conclusion, we thought that the findings of Marciniak et al. on gastrectomized rat model which showed significant decreases in total protein levels could not be attributable to humans and there were no significant chronic changes in aminotransferases, total protein and albumin levels related to gastric operation.

Keywords: Alanine Transaminase - blood, Albumins - metabolism, Anemia, Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood, Gastrectomy, Protein Biosynthesis, Stomach Neoplasms - surgery, Transaminases - blood