ISOENZYME PATTERNS OF SERUM ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN ETHANOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY

. Abnormal agar gel electrophoretic patterns of alkaline phosphatase (AP) isoenzymes have been demonstrated in 11 out of 16 chronic alcoholics in spite of normal or borderline routine liver tests (total AP, GOT, GPT, bilirubin). The abnormality consisted of the presence of a fast-moving α1-fraction known to be related to hepatic disease preferably of obstructive type. The presence of α1-AP appears to be a more sensitive indicator of ethanol-induced liver damage than LDH-5 and OCT.