Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in many tissues, especially bone, intestine, kidney and liver. Determinations of ALP activity in serum and plasma are mainly used as an aid in diagnosis, differentiation and monitoring of hepatobiliary disease and bone diseases.
Elevated levels of the enzyme in the blood are observed, e.g. in cholestatic liver diseases, osteoporosis or Paget's disease. Decreased ALP levels are associated with Wilson's disease, hypophosphatasia and deficiency of magnesium, zinc and vitamin B12.
Measurement of ALP activity is also used as a predictive marker in outcomes (death or liver transplantation) of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Specification
Method Kinetic method recommended by International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC)
Specimen serum, plasma
On board stability up to 12 weeks
Calibration stability up to 2 weeks
Measuring range linear up to 1560 U/l
Regulatory status CE IVD