Liver synthesis function in chronic asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic alcoholics: correlation with other liver tests

Liver function and its correlation with bilirubin and hepatic enzymes were evaluated in 30 male chronic asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic alcoholics admitted into the psychiatric hospital for detoxification and treatment of alcoholism. Hypoalbuminemia, lowered prothrombin activity, hypotransferrinemi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista do Hospital das Clinicás 1999-06, Vol.54 (3), p.97-102
Main Authors: Borini, P, Guimarães, R C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Alanine Transaminase - blood
Alcoholism - blood
Alcoholism - enzymology
Alcoholism - physiopathology
Alkaline Phosphatase - blood
Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood
Bilirubin - blood
Chronic Disease
gamma-Glutamyltransferase - blood
Humans
Liver - enzymology
Liver - physiopathology
Liver Function Tests
Male
MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
Middle Aged
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Summary:Liver function and its correlation with bilirubin and hepatic enzymes were evaluated in 30 male chronic asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic alcoholics admitted into the psychiatric hospital for detoxification and treatment of alcoholism. Hypoalbuminemia, lowered prothrombin activity, hypotransferrinemia and hypofibrinogenemia were detected in 32%, 32%, 28%, and 24% of patients, respectively. Transferrin was elevated in 8%. Greater prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia was found in patients with lowered prothrombin activity, hypofibrinogenemia, or hypotransferrinemia. No correlation was found between serum bilirubin or aminotransferase levels and normal or elevated albumin levels, time or activity of prothrombin, and fibrinogen levels. Serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated in normoalbuminemics and gamma-glutamyltransferase in patients with lowered prothrombin activity. Hypoalbuminemia was associated with hypofibrinogenemia, hypotransferrinemia with elevated aspartate aminotransferase or gamma-glutamyltransferase, and hypertransferrinemia with elevation of alanine aminotransferase. These data indicated the occurrence of hepatic dysfunction due to liver damage caused directly by alcohol or by alcoholism-associated nutritional deficiencies.
ISSN:0041-8781
1678-9903
0041-8781
DOI:10.1590/S0041-87811999000300006