Comparison of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, immunoglobulin A antibodies reactive with acetaldehyde-modified protein and acetaldehyde-modified albumin with conventional markers of alcohol consumption.
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has emerged as the best new marker for alcohol abuse. Recently plasma immunoglobulin A (IgA) reactivity with acetaldehyde (AcH)-modified proteins, or the modified proteins per se, have been proposed as a markers for high levels of alcohol consumption. In this study, we have compared CDT, IgA reactivity with AcH adducts (IgA ASR), and AcH-modified albumin with conventional markers of high alcohol intake in groups with well-defined drinking histories. The plasma activity of ALT, AST, and gamma-glutamyltransferase increased steadily with increasing alcohol consumption. CDT and AcH-modified albumin showed a similar pattern, whereas IgA ASR appeared only to be elevated after a threshold level of consumption had been reached. Neither CDT IgA ASR or AcH-modified albumin correlated strongly with any of the conventional markers or each other. This study shows that CDT, IgA ASR, AcH-modified albumin, and the conventional markers are not related, but suggests that the concurrent use of CDT and IgA ASR may lead to better identification of high alcohol intake.
Worrall
S
S
Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, Australia.
de Jersey
J
J
Wilce
P A
PA
Seppä
K
K
Hurme
L
L
Sillanaukee
P
P
D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; D000079:Acetaldehyde