Evaluation of two new methods for routine measurement of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the performance of two new methods for the analysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) isoenzymes designed for use in the routine chemical pathology laboratory: pre-incubation with neuraminidase before agarose electrophoresis; and selective precipitation of the bone isoenzyme with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA).


METHODS
Serum samples from 39 patients were analysed. Seventeen were from patients with liver disease, eight from patients with bone disease, and 14 from patients with normal ALP activity and no evidence of liver or bone disease. The two new methods were compared with the established method, wheat germ agglutinin affinity electrophoresis.


RESULTS
There was good correlation between the neuraminidase and WGA electrophoretic methods. The WGA precipitation method showed negative interference in the measurement of bone isoenzyme activity in samples containing biliary alkaline phosphatase. Both the new methods had advantages of speed and simplicity over the existing method, but cost per test was considerably higher.


CONCLUSIONS
The neuraminidase electrophoretic method is a satisfactory alternative to the WGA affinity electrophoretic method, although it is more expensive. The WGA precipitation method cannot be recommended for use with serum samples from patients with suspected liver disease.
Day
A P
AP
Department of Chemical Pathology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, Westminster Hospital, London.
Saward
S
S
Royle
C M
CM
Mayne
P D
PD
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004588:Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D009439:Neuraminidase; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins
D007527:Isoenzymes; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D009439:Neuraminidase