Alkaline phosphatase is a specific enzyme that belongs to the hydrolase group. This enzyme can be observed in all parts of the human body.
This enzyme is especially common in osteoblasts, mucous membranes, in the mammary gland, in the placenta, in the walls of the bile ducts.
Types of alkaline phosphatase
There are several types of phosphatase:
- placental;
- renal;
- hepatic;
- intestinal;
- bone.
Alkaline phosphatase, like all enzymes like it, is needed so that various chemical reactions take place inside the human body. A minimum amount of alkaline phosphatase is required to perform these reactions. And if there are any violations in the body, this may mean that alkaline phosphatase is increased. The reasons for the increase of this enzyme can be quite different.
How alkaline phosphatase works
This enzyme performs a dephosphorylation reaction. This reaction is involved in the cleavage of phosphate from organic substances, passing at the level of molecules. Alkaline phosphatase in the blood has a constant definite concentration. The enzyme is able to transfer phosphorus through the cell membrane. In addition, phosphatase is an indicator of the rate of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. The greatest activity of the enzyme is manifested in the pH medium, with a range of 8.6-10.1.Hence the name - alkaline.
Alkaline phosphatase in the blood
The range of the indication of the normal level in the blood of alkaline phosphatase is quite wide. The readings range from 44 IU / l to 147 IU / l. Do not panic immediately if alkaline phosphatase is increased. The reasons can be absolutely harmless. For example, this indicator in pregnant women is usually slightly overestimated. It is also overestimated in adolescents who have developed the stage of puberty. All this is associated with the growth of the placenta or bone tissue, and does not indicate at all the various deviations in the human body. Also, the indicator of phosphatase depends on the age and sex of the person.
At the moment there is no standardized procedure, therefore the variation of the norm values depends on the reagents used in the laboratory for research.
Alkaline phosphatase. Indicators of the
standard Alkaline phosphatase is one of the variants for determining abnormalities in the body. The norm in women, men and children is slightly different, this should be noted. The level of this enzyme in the body of women is slightly lower than that of men. While in children the level of this enzyme is much higher than that of adults.
The normal value of alkaline phosphatase in the blood plasma in a child is:
- in newborns: 245-255 units / l;
- in children from 1 to 9 years of age: 345-355 units / l;
- in children aged 10 to 15 years: 275-285 units / l;
- in adolescents, age from 16 to 19 years: 145-155 units / liter.
Normal for men:
- from 21 to 30 years of age: 100-110 units / l;
- at the age of 30 to 45 years: 110-120 units / l;
- at the age from 46 to 54 years: 120-130 units / l;
- at the age from 55 to 70 years: 135-145 units / l;
- over the age of 71 years: 180-190 units / liter.
In adults, depending on sex, alkaline phosphatase is slightly different.
The norm in women is:
- from 21 to 30 years of age: 80-90 units / l;
- at the age of 30 to 45 years: 90-100 units / l;
- at the age from 46 to 54 years: 105-115 units / l;
- at the age from 55 to 70 years: 125-135 units / l;
- over the age of 71 years: 155 -165ed / l;
It can be concluded that in men, relatively female indicators, alkaline phosphatase is slightly increased. The norm in women is less than the male norm by approximately 20 units / liter.
Causes of increased alkaline phosphatase
It has already been mentioned, on which alkaline phosphatase depends. The norm is increased, and this can not create a health risk. But it happens the other way round, when an increased indicator is the first and accurate warning that there are significant violations in the patient's body.
The increase in the index of the enzyme in question can be affected by:
From the bile duct and liver:
- a bile duct tumor;
- mechanical jaundice, which can provoke obstruction of the bile ducts;
- liver cancer;
- biliary duct scars, provoked by surgical interventions;
- stones in the bile ducts;
- cancer of the stomach or pancreas;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- any origin of hepatitis. With this disease approximately 3 times alkaline phosphatase is increased.
Causes from the affected bones:
- Paget's disease. This disease is characterized by pathological growth of bones, as well as a violation in certain places of the structure of bones. With this disease, very high rates of the enzyme are observed;
- bone tumor;
- osteosarcoma, which is a malignant tumor on the bone;
- softening of the bones, provoked by a lack of calcium( osteomalacia).
Other reasons:
- myocardial infarction;
- hyperparathyroidism, which is a hormonal disease, with it there is an excess of parathyroid hormone, formed by the parathyroid glands. Because of what happens the washing out of calcium bones;
- intestinal perforation( through damage);
- ulcerative colitis.
Causes of a decreased level of alkaline phosphatase
Not always a deviation is considered to be increased alkaline phosphatase. The norm in women and men can deviate and down.
To lower the level of phosphatase may affect:
- blood transfusion in large doses;
- severe anemia;
- hypothyroidism( decreased function of the thyroid gland);
- hypophosphatase( congenital rare disease, which causes bone softening);
- insufficient amount of zinc and magnesium in the body;
- placental insufficiency( in pregnant women).
What affects the result
On the rise:
- during pregnancy in the placenta contains alkaline phosphatase. The norm in women during this period is not considered too high;
- after fractures there is also an increased level of alkaline phosphatase;
- as adolescents and children have a rapid growth of bones, the level of the enzyme under discussion increases;
- Some medicines such as Paracetamol, Aspirin, Allopurinol, various antibiotics and a variety of other medicines may increase the level of phosphatase in the blood;
- the data of the level of the dephosphorylation enzyme can be observed increased after cooling of the blood taken for analysis.
Oral contraceptives may affect the level of this enzyme.
Assay for alkaline phosphatase
During the analysis of alkaline phosphatase in the blood, specific reagents are added to the donor serum that react to phosphatase. Then, using the exact methods, the concentration of the products is measured. In each tissue, whether it be the intestine, placenta or liver, contains its own specific type of alkaline phosphatase. During the analysis, the concentration of specific types of enzyme is measured.
To take an analysis of a blood sample for this enzyme, the patient will need several minutes. In some cases in humans after eating the intestine is intensively produced alkaline phosphatase. In this case, the results of the analysis may be distorted. Therefore, the patient should not eat or drink water before taking this test.
Thanks to modern laboratory methods, the results of tests can be obtained after several hours.
Based on all the data, we can conclude that the minimum alkaline phosphatase in the blood - the norm. An increase in the level of this enzyme can, how to warn about any deviations or violations, and absolutely not to alarm. In any case, this is not the last indicator of changes in the human body.