[Alkaline phosphatase of the bile as a criterion of biliary tract inflammation].

Estimation of alkaline phosphatase activity is a sensitive and specific test for biliary tract inflammation. The enzyme penetrates into bile from biliary tract epithelium. Activation of the enzyme was noted in cholelithiasis, while the maximal level of alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in patients with chronic cholecystitis. Inflammation of gall bladder may result in deterioration of its epithelium functions, which appears to be responsible for conversion of stable bile colloidal phase into precipitates.