Alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in serum determined by high-performance anion-exchange liquid chromatography with detection by enzyme reaction.

This rapid, reproducible method for separating and determining individual alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) isoenzymes in serum is based on high-performance liquid chromatography with a weak anion-exchange column (SynChropak AX 300). The isoenzymes so resolved are detected by using an on-line enzyme reaction followed by spectrophotometric monitoring at 405 nm of the 4-nitrophenol formed. Complete diagnostic profiles of the various isoenzymes present in normal and pathological sera are obtained within 20 min. The mean (and SD) normal concentrations of the bone B1 and intestinal isoenzymes in serum of adults were 3.7 (4.3) and 4.5 (3.9) U/L, respectively (n = 14), and of the bone isoenzyme B2 and liver isoenzymes L1 and L2, 5.8 (8.6), 33.0 (10.6), and 12.0 (4.8) U/L, respectively (n = 17). Concentrations of the B2 and L1 isoenzymes in adults over age 40 years differed significantly from those in adults younger than 40 years, that of bone isoenzyme being lower (P less than 0.05) and that of the liver isoenzyme being higher (P less than 0.001) in the younger adults.