High-molecular-mass ("biliary") isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase and the diagnosis of liver dysfunction in cystic fibrosis
Schoenau, E.; Boeswald, W.; Wanner, R.; Herzog, K.H.; Boewing, B.; Boehles, H.J.; Stehr, K.
Clinical Chemistry 35(9): 1888-1890
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9147 PMID: 2776312 Document Number: 343419
The high-Mr isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (AP, EC 3.1.3.1), a highly sensitive index to cholestasis, was measured by liquid chromatography in 45 patients with cystic fibrosis. Results of serum tests for liver dysfunction--including gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total AP, bilirubin, and bile acids--were compared with those for high-Mr AP. Values for high-Mr AP were increased in 44.4% of our patient population, with activities ranging from 0.4 to 17.3 U/L. The upper limit in the control group was 2.5 U/L. We find increased high-Mr AP to be a more sensitive indicator of liver dysfunction in patients with cystic fibrosis than are other tests.