SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Jaundice refers to the yellow pigmentation of the skin or sclera by bilirubin, which is a result of elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood stream. Clinical biochemistry laboratories often measure enzymes as part of a liver function test. The present study was designed to elucidate the changes in the activities of transaminases(GPT&GOT) and ALP in jaundiced patients. Serum transaminases and ALP were estimated by procedure described by kits. The results showed that activities of transaminases GOT and GPT showed significant (p<0.01) increase in patients and it reached 34.8±3.265 U/L and 42.14±4.62 U/L respectively. ALP showed also significant (P<0.01) increase in serum of patients and it reached 130.71±9.281 U/L. Significant difference in the activities of GOT between male and female patients and this difference is very obvious in neonatal jaundice. It is concluded that there were significant changes in the activities of GOT, GPT and ALP enzymes in jaundiced patients. Introduction: Jaundice is a clinical term referring to the yellow appearance of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from an increased bilirubin concentration in the body fluids. Pathological mechanisms giving rise to jaundice fall into three groups: hemolytic, hepatocellular and cholestatic or obstructive (1). Hepatocytes make many different proteins. Some of these are enzymes. The activities of several enzymes are used to estimate the status of liver including the integrity of hepatocellular organelles and ability of the organ to synthesize or metabolically convert various compounds, and the ability to secrete bile. (2). These enzymes are widely distributed throughout the body and are found in many different tissues. Measurement of most substances is based on determining concentration in serum or amount excreted in urine or bile in a given time. Enzymes, however, are measured by their activities, that is, how rapidly or extensively they perform their catalytic functions (3). Transaminases catalyze the transfer of an amino group of one amino acid to a hydrocarbon to form a different amino acid. Asparate aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT) activities have been used as indicators of hepatocellular damage (4). Alkaline phosphatase rises rapidly when bile flow is impaired or space-occupying lesions develop, even if these lesions are small but numerous, like granulomus or large and single, like a tumor metastasis (5). Clinical laboratories often measure enzymes as part of a liver function test. Commonly GOT or GPT is measured as an indicator of hepatic damage (3 ). In the liver, ALP is found in high concentrations in the cells lining the biliary ducts. ALP, an enzyme associated with cholestasis, may be only slightly raised in case of hepatitis but is greatly raised in cholestasis. However, although a large body of information is now available worldwide, the exact mechanisms underlying the activities of these enzymes in various types of jaundice are still not clearly understood. The purpose of this study is to elucidate serum levels of the transaminase (SGOT and SGPT) and ALP enzymes among jaundiced patients. Subjects and Methods: Subjects: One hundred thirty-seven patients, suspected jaundiced (74 males & 63 females) were subjected to this study. They were seen at the Kirkuk hospital and pediatric hospital in Kirkuk city. Their ages ranged between 1-73 years. 43 normal healthy (20 males and 23 females) were subjected to the study as a control group. Blood collection: Five milliliters of venous blood were collected from all subjected individuals into a clean dry free from anticoagulant, and then allowed to clot. Serum was separated for biochemical investigations. Investigations: Glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activities were measured by using kits (Randox-146 &147 respectively), while Alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was measured by using a kit-ALP-Ph-17580-Biomerieux) Results: As shown in figure (1) activities of transaminases GOT and GPT showed significant (p<0.01) increase in patients and it reached 34.8±3.265 U/L and 42.14±4.62 respectively. ALP showed also significant (P<0.01) increase in serum of patients and it reached 130.71±9.281 U/L.