Clinical significance of a new isoform of serum alanine aminopeptidase; relationship with liver disease and alcohol consumption.

The potential clinical interest of a new isoform of alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) was examined using polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis. This form, called F-AAP, is more proteolyzed than normal serum AAP. It appears to be associated with many liver diseases and is related to cytolysis, but also to elevated GGT levels. The F-AAP form was present in 52% of subjects treated with anticonvulsant drugs and in 64% of subjects consuming more than 44 g of alcohol per day. Analysis of F-AAP may be of interest in detecting effects of drugs and alcohol on the liver.