Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes

Description: 
Alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes separated by isoelectric focusing.

Clinical details: 
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the circulation is a mixture of isoforms from the liver, kidney, bone and intestine. There are three genes for ALP - intestinal, placental and the liver/kidney/bone gene. The latter isoforms undergo post-translational modification with different carbohydrate sidechains being attached. In some instances it is important to be sure whether a raised plasma ALP is of liver or bone origin (e.g. malignancy, co-existing liver disease etc.). ALP isoenzymes can be resolved using isoelectric focusing into all the major forms.In particular marked elevations of plasma ALP can be seen in children (and occasionally in adults) associated with concurrent infections. This is caused by changes in the carbohydrate sidechain structure resulting in reduced recognition at clearance receptors and a prolonged half-life - transient hyperphosphatasaemia. This produces a characteristic pattern on isoelectric focusing with a particular response to neuraminidase treatment which aids recognition. It is a benign condition and the importance of identifying it is to avoid unnecessary investigations e.g. ERCP, bone scans etc.
Synonyms or keywords: 
ALPi
Sample type and Volume required: 
Serum (250 µL).
Turnaround time: 
Approximately 1-2 weeks.
Special sample instructions: 

Please provide a concurrent total ALP and GGT result with the request 

Storage and transport: 
Stable at 4°C for up to one week. Send by overnight first class post.
Contacts:
Reference Biochemistry Department at King's College Hospital
020 3299 4107
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
Immunochemistry Laboratory at King's College Hospital
020 3299 4130
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.

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Last updated: 07/12/2022