title: Observations on gamma-glutamyl transferase, 5'-nucleotidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities in the plasma of the horse.
abstract: In 18 horses there was no effect of age or sex on plasma activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP). All the enzymes were equally stable after storage for one month at -20 degrees C and there was no significant difference between their activities in serum and plasma in clinically normal horses. The pattern of release of gamma-GT, 5'-NT and LAP into plasma was studied in 114 horses which had a variety of orthopaedic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and hepatic (necrosis, lipidosis, neoplasia and cirrhosis) conditions. A definitive diagnosis of hepatic disease was established by histological examination of the liver. gamma-GT and 5'-NT were leaked into plasma in hepatic disease and gamma-GT was the more sensitive indicator of liver damage. There was some evidence that gamma-GT and 5'-NT plasma activities may increase in hepatic necrosis as well as in biliary obstruction. LAP was insensitive and not hepatic specific in the horse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D015720:5'-Nucleotidase; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood*; D007931:Leucyl Aminopeptidase / Q000097:blood*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009708:Nucleotidases / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D009708:Nucleotidases; D015720:5'-Nucleotidase; D007931:Leucyl Aminopeptidase