Plasma [alpha]-Glutathione S-Transferase in Patients with Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia and Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome

Background: Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) due to either atherosclerosis of the mesenteric arteries or median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is an underdiagnosed entity. The etiology of MALS and its existence have been debated and questioned. We aimed to identify plasma biomarkers indicating mesenteric ischemia in patients with CMI and MALS. Methods: Plasma [alpha]-glutathione S-transferase ([alpha]-GST), intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), citrulline, and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) were analyzed in fifty-eight patients with CMI (Group A, n=44) and MALS (Group B, n=14) before and after revascularization. The plasma levels of these potential biomarkers were compared with those of healthy individuals (Group C, n=16). Group comparison was performed with the Mann--Whitney U-test. Cross-tabulation and its derivatives were obtained. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: Plasma levels of [alpha]-GST were significantly raised in the patients with CMI (7.8 ng/mL, p