Neutrophil alkaline phosphatese activity: a simple methods for monitoring long-term blood glucose control

ABSTRACT

Neutrophil alkaline phosphatase activity [NAP Score] increases in diabetes. We studied its correlation with glycosylated hemoglobin [GHb], FBS, serum electrolytes, age, sex, duration and acute or chronic complications of the disease. The study included eighty diabetic patients, 43 with IDDM, 37 with NIDDM, and forty healthy persons as a control group. For estimation of NAP activity a peripheral blood smear was stained by azodye method. One hundred neutrophils were scored zero to four according to the intensity of staining reaction in the cytoplasm. The NAP score was 71 in control group [normal score 10-100] and 132.2 in patients [p<0.01]. The mean level of GHb was 529.5 nmol/g.Hb in control group [normal 400-620] and 1005 in patients. Both parameters were increased significantly in IDDM compared to NIDDM [p < 0.05]. The regression analysis between NAP scores and GHb demonstrated a significant correlation [p < 0.004]. Neither had any correlation with other clinical or laboratory parameters except creatinine. Measurement of NAP activity may be a simple and objective method for assessing longterm blood glucose regulation in established diabetes