title: Evaluation of alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and pre albumin in serum of Ghanaian subjects.
abstract: Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAGp): pre albumin ratio, sensitive markers for liver damage were evaluated in 32 apparently healthy Ghanaian subjects. Eighteen of the subjects (Group 1) had Serum AAT values (mean +/- SD) of 151.9 +/- 18.6 mg/dl while 14 (Group 2) had 209.3 +/- 13.6 mg/dl. AAGp: pre albumin ratio were respectively 1.03 +/- 0.79 and 2.76 +/- 1.00. The difference between the two groups with respect to the AAT and AAGp: pre-albumin ratio is highly significant (p < 0.01). No correlation was seen between these proteins and serum gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The GGT and ALT levels were normal in the Group 1 subjects but elevated in some of those in Group 2. It is suggested that the obtained higher AAT values and AAGp: pre albumin ratio might be abnormal for Ghanaian subjects and that these proteins should be monitored to facilitate early detection of liver injury. This might be important for population groups living in geographic areas where environmental agents that cause liver damage are common.
authors: Chemical Pathology Unit, University of Ghana, Legon.
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Ankrah
authors: F A
authors: FA
authors: Ekuban
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009961:Orosomucoid; D011228:Prealbumin; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase