title: Microheterogeneity of serum β-hexosaminidase in chronic alcohol abusers in a driver's license regranting program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) is one of the best indicators for chronic alcohol abuse and detection of relapse. In this study, we explore the microheterogeneity of β-hexosaminidase (β-HEX) in chronic alcohol abusers in the framework of a driver's license regranting program. Studies have shown that increased serum activity of β-HEX B (isoforms P, I, and B) may be a sensitive marker for chronic alcohol abuse. Here, we describe methodology, limitations, and correlation of β-HEX isoforms with CDT.
  
  
  METHODS
  CDT was assayed at the central laboratory of the Ghent University Hospital by capillary zone electrophoresis, measured on the Capillarys 2™ system and was expressed as a percentage of total serum transferrin (%CDT). Serum of chronic alcohol abusers was compared to nonheavy drinkers using agarose gel isoelectric focusing (IEF). Total β-HEX activity was assayed fluorimetrically following preparative IEF in 81 subjects. β-HEX isoforms were investigated and compared between nonheavy drinkers and heavy drinkers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Agarose gel IEF shows additional cathodal bands in serum of chronic alcohol abusers. Mean total β-HEX activity between pH 6.8 and 7.7, designated as HEX-7, showed the highest correlation with %CDT (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001, n = 68). In a selected subgroup, where CDT could not be quantified (n = 13) because of an atypical electropherogram, HEX-7 was in concordance with either estimated %CDT value or liver enzyme activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this proof-of-concept study, we introduce a novel approach to quantify β-HEX isoforms using preparative IEF and fluorimetry. A highly significant correlation of HEX-7 and %CDT has been found. Because of exclusion of the P isoform, HEX-7 could be a useful supplementary marker for detecting chronic alcohol abuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Maenhout
authors.forename: Anneleen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poll
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wuyts
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lecocq
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Vlierberghe
authors.forename: Marc L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: De Buyzere
authors.forename: Joris R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Delanghe
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood*; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007527:Isoenzymes; D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases
keywords: Alcoholism; Beta-Hexosaminidase; Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin; Driver's License; Glycoconjugates; Hexosaminidase-7; Liver Disease; Transferring