Colchicine increases hepatic alkaline phosphatase activity.

In vivo administration of colchicine increases the activity of alkaline phosphatase significantly in the livers of rats. Prior treatment with cycloheximide prevented the induction of the enzyme by colchicine suggesting that de novo protein synthesis was essential for the effect of colchicine on alkaline phosphatase activity. Bilateral adrenalectomy did not affect the response of alkaline phosphatase following the administration of colchicine. This indicates that the rise in the level of alkaline phosphatase in liver caused by colchicine is not secondary to the release of glucocorticoids.