Biochemical and haematological markers of alcohol intake in Ghanaians.

The serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urate and triglyceride and mean cell volume (MCV) were determined in 60 total abstainers, 56 social drinkers and 100 alcoholics. Both enzymes and urate showed progressive rise with increasing alcohol intake. The mean cell volume was only moderately elevated. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and urate are sensitive enough to detect people who take in alcohol regularly and yet may be regarded as normal and not alcohol dependent.