Enzyme Diagnostic Applications

Enzyme Diagnostic Applications

Enzyme Diagnostic Applications

On this page

Enzyme Diagnostic Applications - Marker Magic

  • Ideal Diagnostic Enzyme Properties:

    • High organ/tissue specificity.
    • Steep concentration gradient: intracellular >> extracellular.
    • Released mainly on cell injury/death.
    • Stable in vitro for assay.
    • Easy, reliable, cost-effective assay.
    • Plasma concentration reflects damage extent.
  • Plasma Enzymes:

    • Functional: Actively secreted, specific function in plasma (e.g., LCAT, clotting factors).
    • Non-Functional (Cellular): No physiological role in plasma; released from damaged cells.

      ⭐ Non-plasma functional enzymes are normally present in very low concentrations in plasma.

  • Mechanisms of Enzyme Release into Plasma:

    • Cell damage/necrosis (most common).
    • Increased cell membrane permeability.
    • Increased enzyme synthesis (induction).
    • Cell proliferation (e.g., tumors).

Enzyme Diagnostic Applications - Heart Heroes

Cardiac markers for Myocardial Infarction (MI):

  • CK-MB: Rises 3-6 hrs, peaks 12-24 hrs, normalizes 2-3 days. >6% of total CK. Useful for re-infarction.
  • Troponins (cTnI, cTnT): Rise 2-4 hrs.
    • cTnI: Peaks ~24 hrs, normalizes 7-10 days.
    • cTnT: Peaks 24-48 hrs, normalizes 10-14 days (can be ↑ in renal failure).

    ⭐ Troponin I (cTnI) is the most specific cardiac marker for MI.

  • LDH: Rises 12-24 hrs, peaks 48-72 hrs, normalizes 10-14 days. LDH1 > LDH2 flip (late marker).
  • AST: Rises 6-12 hrs, peaks 24-48 hrs, normalizes 3-5 days. Non-specific.

Cardiac Marker Time Course in MI

MarkerOnsetPeakDurationSpecificity
CK-MB3-6 hrs12-24 hrs2-3 daysModerate
cTnI2-4 hrs~24 hrs7-10 daysHighest
cTnT2-4 hrs24-48 hrs10-14 daysHigh
LDH12-24 hrs48-72 hrs10-14 daysLow (LDH1>2)

Enzyme Diagnostic Applications - Gut Guardians

Liver Enzymes:

  • ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): Primarily liver-specific. 📌 L for ALT = Liver.
  • AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): Liver, heart, muscle, kidney.
  • De Ritis Ratio ($AST/ALT$): >2 suggests alcoholic hepatitis; <1 common in viral hepatitis.
  • ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): ↑ in cholestasis, bone disease, pregnancy.
  • GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase): ↑ in cholestasis, significant alcohol intake.
  • 5'-Nucleotidase (5'-NT): Specific for hepatobiliary cholestasis (differentiates liver vs. bone ALP origin).

Pancreatic Enzymes:

  • Amylase: ↑ early in acute pancreatitis; also salivary origin.
  • Lipase: More specific & sensitive for acute pancreatitis; remains elevated longer.

Liver Injury Patterns:

PatternPredominant EnzymesNotes
Hepatocellular Injury↑↑ ALT, ASTALT > AST (most viral/toxic injury)
Cholestatic Injury↑↑ ALP, GGT, (5'-NT)Bilirubin often also ↑

⭐ GGT is a very sensitive indicator of alcohol ingestion or cholestasis, often elevated even with minor insults to the liver or biliary system.

Enzyme Diagnostic Applications - Body Detectives

Enzymes act as specific markers for disease diagnosis and monitoring.

  • Bone: Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) isoenzymes (bone, liver, placental) help identify sources of tissue damage.
  • Muscle:
    • Creatine Kinase (CK) - see table.
    • Aldolase: elevated in muscle diseases.
  • Prostate: Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) used in prostate cancer assessment.
  • RBCs:
    • Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency: drug-induced hemolysis.
    • Pyruvate Kinase (PK) deficiency: chronic hemolysis.
  • Other: ↑ Serum Amylase in acute pancreatitis and mumps.
IsoenzymePredominant TissueClinical Significance
CK-MMSkeletal MuscleMuscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
CK-MBCardiac MuscleMyocardial infarction (MI)
CK-BBBrain, Lung, GITCNS damage, tumors

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • CK-MB and Troponins are crucial for MI diagnosis; Troponins offer higher specificity.
  • LDH isoenzymes (LDH1 in MI, LDH5 in liver/muscle) help identify damaged tissue.
  • ALT is more liver-specific than AST; GGT indicates cholestasis or alcohol intake.
  • Elevated Amylase and Lipase (more specific) strongly suggest acute pancreatitis.
  • Increased Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) points to cholestatic liver disease or bone disorders.
  • Acid Phosphatase (ACP) was a marker for prostatic carcinoma, now largely replaced by PSA.

Practice Questions: Enzyme Diagnostic Applications

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following flipped pattern of LDH is seen in myocardial infarction?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Enzyme Diagnostic Applications

1/10

Serine proteases, aminotransferases and pyruvate carboxylase are examples of _____ reactions

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Serine proteases, aminotransferases and pyruvate carboxylase are examples of _____ reactions

Ping-pong

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial