Abstract
Introduction: The liver regulates many important metabolic functions. The 5'-nucleotidase activity is increased in obstructive jaundice, parenchymal liver disease, and hepatic metastases.
Aim: This study was conducted to assess the serum levels of 5'-nucleotidase on patients with viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver diseases and liver cirrhosis, moreover to make comparison to assess the degree of biliary involvement.
Materials and Methods: A total of 60 male subjects (15 healthy controls and 45 case subjects) were enrolled, aged between 30-50 years, each case group consisted of 15 male age-matched patients suffering with viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease (more than 10 years.) and liver cirrhosis. Serum 5'-nucleotidase was analyzed as per the standard laboratory procedure.
Results: The 5'-nucleotidase levels were significantly raised in viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis patients. The levels being 35.2 +/- 8.43, 29.87 +/- 3.94, and 24.07 +/- 4.33 respectively as compared to healthy control (11 +/- 3.42) U/L.
Conclusion: Serum 5'-nucleotidase levels showed elevations in mean value of three fold in viral hepatitis, 2.5 folds elevation in alcoholic liver disease and two fold in cirrhosis as compared of healthy control subjects.