N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase B, the specific marker of post alcoholic liver damage

HEX B, the specific marker of post alcoholic liver damage

Abstract

Introduction: There is still a lack of proper markers for monitoring post-chronic alcohol drinking liver injury. The aim of our research was to compare the usefulness of the serum HEX B, AST and ALT activities as  markers of liver damage in ALD.

Material and Methods: Study group consisted of 31 persons with alcohol abstinence syndrome; control group consisted of 33 blood donors. The activity of ALT, AST and  HEX B were determined by spectrophotometric methods in the serum of all participants.

Results: In the serums of the control group, activities of ALT, AST and HEX B were in the normal range and amounted: 22.0 ±11.4 U/L; 20.8 ±9.9 U/L and 64,4 ±48.0 nKat/L respectively, whereas in the study group, activities were significantly higher than in the controls, and amounted: ALT – 75,3 ±82.4 U/L, AST – 96,8 ±102.6 U/L, and HEX B - 226.0 ±134.5 nKat/L.

Conclusion: In persons with post-alcoholic liver injury, serum HEX B activity is a better marker of liver injury than ALT and AST.