EFFECT OF ALCOHOL INTAKE ON SERUM ENZYME ACTIVITIES

Dr. Rajni K. Arora and Dr. Ruchita Vasudeva*

ABSTRACT

Alcohol is present in our blood in small amounts because of its anaerobic production by intestinal flora. When ingested in large quantity, alcohol causes tissue damage that raises enzyme activities like serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum alkaline phosphatase. The present study deals with the observed significant changes in activities of SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase after alcohol intake by 25 middle aged males ranging between 30-50 years age group. SGOT and SGPT activities showed a significant rise while serum alkaline phosphatase activity remained in the upper normal limit when other biochemical parameters like urea, creatinine and bilirubin were found in the serum samples to be within the normal range. After alcohol withdrawal, SGOT and SGPT activities returned to normal values. Duration of time also affects alcohol drinkers as metabolism of alcohol is increased in alcohol drinkers who become accustomed to its ingestion and decreased in patients with liver disease.

Keywords: enzyme activities, Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, alcohol metabolism, alcohol withdrawal.