Serum Concentration of N-Acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase in Alcohol Addicts.

An increased level of serum N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase can often be found in alcohol addicts. A statistically significant increase in the catalytic concentrations of NAGA and its isozymes was determined in a group of subjects with the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and in an alcohol addicts' group in comparison to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the catalytic concentrations of NAGA and its isoenzymes between the subjects' group with liver cirrhosis without an alcohol genesis and the alcohol addicts' group. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found between the control group and the alcohol addicts' group. This is why it is important to determine the total level of catalytic NAGA concentrations as well as the catalytic concentrations of its isozymes when diagnosing alcohol dependence. The obtained results indicate that the determination of the catalytic NAGA concentrations is not a highly specific marker for alcoholism. The aim of the present paper was to examine the NAGA concentration in alcohol addicts treated at the Department of Psychiatry, and to question its value as a marker for alcohol dependence. Subjects treated from alcohol addiction as inpatients and patients with liver cirrhosis not caused by the alcohol's toxic activity took part in the study. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers. When compared to the healthy volunteers, alcohol addicts showed a statistically higher NAGA concentration in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]