Transferrin as a potential marker for chronic alcohol intoxication diagnosis

Abstract

There are certain difficulties associated with identification of chronic alcohol intoxication that cause the relevance of search of specific and reliable laboratory test for individuals suspected in systematic use of significant amounts of alcohol. As a potential marker for alcoholism confirm action have chosen the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, which was determined by ion-exchange chromatography. In accordance with our results on 3, 7 and 11 days of development of chronic alcohol intoxication reduction of tetrasialotransferrin isoform with increase of monosialo- and disialoisoform transferrin content in blood serum of experimental animals was observed. Chromatographic analysis of transferrin fractions on 10th day after cessation of alcohol revealed normalization of tetrasialoisoform level with maintaining of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin content above control values. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and its tetrasialoisoform can be recommended as highly informative method for chronic alcohol intoxication diagnosis, monitoring remission and timely identification of possible relapses.

Keywords

• transferrin isoforms
• diagnostic marker
• chronic alcohol intoxication