Use of specific inhibitors to disciminate alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes originating from human liver, placenta and intestine: absence of meconial alkaline phosphatase in maternal serum.

We used the inhibitors bromotetramisole, L-phenylalanine amide, and L-phenylalanine in combination to measure intestinal phosphatase in maternal serum and amniotic fluid. By using high concentrations of these inhibitors, it was possible to measure the three isoenzymes separately. We found no evidence of the presence of meconial alkaline phosphatase in the serum of the mother (six cases) after meconial passage in utero.