- Isoenzymes of AP may be found in a variety of tissues
including: liver, bone, placenta and intestine. However, serum activity in a mature
dog, cat or horse is usually of hepatic origin.
- Because AP is bound intracellularly to microsomal enzymes, it does
not "leak" out of a cell. A rise in enzyme levels is associated with
either intra or extrahepatic cholestasis which induces increased synthesis. This
will usually precede the development of icterus.
- AP has a short half-life in the cat, and therefore any rise in
AP should be considered significant.
- AP of bone origin can be found in young growing animals at a rate of
up to five times normal adult levels.
- In mature dogs and cats, elevations in AP may be due to
lytic bone disease.
- In the dog, glucocorticoids and some anticonconvulsants can
cause increases in serum AP.
Return to Liver
Enzymes
