modified electrophoretic fractionation of the enzyme 5/nucleotidase in the laboratory diagnostic work up of cholestasis

ABSTRACT

This study included 70 subjects divided into patients group [n = 55 and healthy controls group [n = 15]. Gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT] was significantly higher in non-cholestatic hepatobiliary disease [HBD] subjects than in healthy controls. On the other hand, all laboratory liver function tests were significantly higher in cholestatic HBD patients when compared to non-cholestatic HBD and healthy subjects. 5/nucleotidase [5/NT] and its fractions [alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta] as well as the total 5/NT/beta ratio were significantly higher in cholestatic HBD subjects when compared to non- cholestatic HBD and healthy controls. In non-cholestatic HBD patients, only the alpha and the total 5/NT/beta ratio showed a statistical significant increase versus healthy controls. Receiver operator characteristic [ROC] curve analysis was done for total 5/NT/beta ratio as well as for the activities of total 5/NT, ALP and GGT. In conclusion, the introduction of reliable 5/NT fractionation with maximum analytical performance into the laboratory diagnostic workup of cholestasis appears perfect