title: [Activity of beta-hexosaminidase in serum of patients with alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver diseases].
abstract: The total activity and thermostable activity of serum beta-hexosaminidase were determined in alcohol-dependent patients with liver damage, in non-drinking hepatic patients, in alcohol-dependent presently drinking patients who had no hepatic symptoms and signs, and in healthy persons drinking alcohol occasionally in moderate quantities who served as the control group. The enzyme activity was determined by the spectrofluorometric method using 4-methylumbelliferone derivative as substrate. The activity of beta-hexosaminidase in both groups with liver disease of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic origin exceeded significantly the control values. In those alcohol-dependent patients with liver disease who did not stop drinking, the activity was higher after recent drinking in relation to that after a period of abstinence. The determination can thus serve as a marker of alcohol abuse also in alcohol-dependent patients with liver damage. The share of thermostable component in the total increase of beta-hexosaminidase activity in alcohol-abusing persons was higher than that in the case of hepatic diseases of non-alcoholic origin.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Genetyki Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii, Warszawie.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wehr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Czartoryska
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Milewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases
vernacular_title: Aktywność beta-heksozoaminidazy surowicy w chorobach watroby pochodzenia alkoholowego i niealkoholowego.