Transition of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes during liver regeneration in humans.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels tend to increase after hepatectomy, however, no previous examinations have yet focused on the relationship between liver regeneration and the individual ALP isoenzymes levels. METHODOLOGY Forty living liver transplantation donors who underwent hemi-hepatectomy were herein investigated. We evaluated the serum ALP levels and ALP isoenzyme levels preoperatively and postoperatively. The liver regeneration rate (LRR) was calculated using volumetry. According to the LRR, we divided the donors into two groups, consisting of a high regeneration group (HG) and a low regeneration group (LG). RESULTS The total serum ALP levels increased gradually after hepatectomy and peaked on postoperative days (POD) 14. ALP-1 was not detected in any donor preoperatively; however it was detected after hepatectomy, peaking on POD 7. The serum ALP-2 level increased after hepatectomy, reaching a peak level on POD 14. The ALP-2 levels gradually increased after hepatectomy and reached peak levels on POD 14 in both groups. However, the ALP-2 level on POD 14 was significantly higher in HG than LG. CONCLUSIONS The serum ALP- 2 levels after POD 14 might therefore be a useful indicator of favorable liver regeneration following hepatectomy, especially in patients who have a normal liver function.