Alkaline phosphatase is a specific enzyme that belongs to the group of hydrolases. This enzyme can be observed in all parts of the human body.
This enzyme is especially common in osteoblasts, the intestinal mucosa, in the mammary gland, in the placenta, in the walls of the bile ducts.
Types of alkaline phosphatase
Phosphatase is divided into several types:
- placental;
- renal;
- hepatic;
- intestinal;
- bone.
Alkaline phosphatase, like all similar enzymes, is necessary for various chemical reactions to take place inside the human body. A minimum amount of alkaline phosphatase is required to complete these reactions. And if there are any disorders 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 conducts a dephospholation reaction. This reaction consists in the removal of phosphate from organic substances, which takes place at the molecular level. Alkaline phosphatase in the blood has a constant certain concentration. The enzyme is able to transfer phosphorus through the cell membrane. In addition, phosphatase is an indicator of normal calcium-phosphorus metabolism. The greatest activity of the enzyme is manifested in pH medium, in the range of 8.6-10.1. Hence the name alkaline.
Alkaline phosphatase in the blood
The range of indications of normal levels in the blood of alkaline phosphatase is quite wide. Readings vary from 44 IU / L to 147 IU / L. Do not panic immediately if alkaline phosphatase is elevated. The reasons can be completely harmless. For example, this indicator in pregnant women is usually slightly overestimated. It is also overpriced in adolescents who have opened the stage of puberty. All this is associated with the growth of the placenta or bone tissue, and does not at all indicate various deviations in the human body. Also, the phosphatase index depends on the age and gender of the person.
At the moment, there is no standardized methodology, so the variation of the norm indicators also depends on the reagents that are used in the laboratory for research.
Alkaline phosphatase. Norm indicators
One of the options for determining abnormalities in the body is alkaline phosphatase. The norm in women, men and children is slightly different, this should be noted. The level of this enzyme in the body in women is slightly lower than that in men. While in children, the level of this enzyme is much higher than in adults.
The normal indicator of alkaline phosphatase in blood plasma in a child is:
- in newborns: 245-255 units / l;
- in children aged 1 to 9 years: 345-355 units / l;
- in children aged 10 to 15 years: 275-285 units / l;
- in adolescents aged 16 to 19 years: 145-155 units / liter.
Norm in men:
- age from 21 to 30 years: 100-110 units / l;
- aged 30 to 45 years: 110-120 units / l;
- aged 46 to 54 years: 120-130 units / l;
- aged 55 to 70 years: 135-145 units / l;
- over the age of 71 years: 180-190 units / l.
In adults, depending on gender, alkaline phosphatase is slightly different.
The norm in women is:
- age from 21 to 30 years: 80-90 units / l;
- aged 30 to 45 years: 90-100 units / l;
- aged 46 to 54 years: 105-115 units / l;
- aged 55 to 70 years: 125-135 units / l;
- over the age of 71 years: 155 -165 units / l;
It can be concluded that in men, relative to female indicators, alkaline phosphatase is slightly increased. The norm in women is less than the male norm by about 20 units / liter.
Causes of Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase
It has already been said what alkaline phosphatase depends on. The rate is increased, and this may not pose a health risk. But it happens the other way around, when an increased indicator is the first and accurate warning that significant violations are observed in the patient's body.
The increase in the enzyme in question can be affected by:
From the biliary tract and liver:
- bile duct tumor;
- obstructive jaundice, which can cause obstruction of the bile ducts;
- liver cancer;
- scars of the bile ducts 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 of the affected bones:
- Paget's disease. This disease is characterized by abnormal bone growth, as well as a violation in certain places of the bone structure. With this disease, very high rates of the enzyme in question 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 parathyroid glands. Because of what, leaching of bones of calcium occurs;
- intestinal perforation (through damage);
- ulcerative colitis.
Causes of Low Alkaline Phosphatase
Increased alkaline phosphatase is not always considered a deviation. The norm in women and men can deviate up and down.
A decrease in phosphatase levels can be affected by:
- blood transfusion in large doses;
- severe anemia;
- hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function);
- hypophostasis (a congenital rare disease that provokes softening of the bone);
- insufficient amount of zinc and magnesium in the body;
- placental insufficiency (in pregnant women).
What affects the result
On increase:
- during pregnancy, the placenta contains alkaline phosphatase. The norm in women during this period is not considered excessive;
- after fractures, an increased level of alkaline phosphatase is also noted;
- since adolescents and children exhibit rapid bone growth, the level of the enzyme under discussion increases;
- Some medications, such as Paracetamol, Aspirin, Allopurinol, various antibiotics, and various other medicines can increase the level of phosphatase in the blood;
- data on the level of the dephospholating enzyme can be observed increased after cooling the blood sample taken.
Oral contraceptives can affect the lowering of this enzyme.
Testing for alkaline phosphatase
During the analysis of alkaline phosphatase in the blood, specific reagents that respond to phosphatase are added to the serum of the donor. Then, using accurate methods, the concentration of the resulting products is measured. Each tissue, whether 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 a blood sample for this enzyme, the patient will need several minutes. In some cases, in humans, alkaline phosphatase is intensely produced by the intestines after eating. In this case, the analysis results may be distorted. Therefore, the patient should not eat or drink water before taking this analysis.
Thanks to modern laboratory methods, analysis results can be obtained after just a few hours.
Based on all the data, we can conclude that the minimum alkaline phosphatase in the blood is normal. An increase in the level of this enzyme can both warn of any deviations or irregularities, and absolutely not alarm. In any case, this is not the last indicator of changes in the human body.