Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Why alkaline phosphatase levels rise in dogs on phenobarbital
By Gaskill, Cynthia L et al.·Published in Veterinary clinical pathology·2004·Department of Biomedical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme profiles in phenobarbital-treated epileptic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs being treated with phenobarbital for seizures had their blood tested to check for changes in a liver enzyme called alkaline phosphatase (AP). The tests showed that the levels of certain types of this enzyme increased significantly after starting the medication, particularly in the first few months. However, no new types of enzymes were found that could be linked specifically to phenobarbital. This means that while the treatment can raise enzyme levels, it doesn't create any unique markers that would help vets tell if the increase is due to the medication or something else.
People also search for: dog seizures treatment · phenobarbital side effects in dogs · high liver enzymes in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Serum total alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity commonly is high in dogs receiving phenobarbital. Specific isoenzymes responsible for this increase are not well documented. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were 1) to qualitatively and quantitatively describe serum AP isoenzymes in phenobarbital-treated dogs and 2) to monitor changes in serum AP isoenzyme activities associated with phenobarbital treatment over time. METHODS: Serum AP isoenzyme activities were determined in a cross-sectional study of 29 dogs receiving phenobarbital (duration of treatment 2 months to 6.5 years). Additionally, in a prospective study of 23 dogs, serum AP isoenzyme activities were determined before and 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the start of phenobarbital treatment. Isoenzyme activities were quantitatively determined using wheat germ lectin precipitation and levamisole inhibition, and qualitatively (ie, present or absent) evaluated using cellulose acetate affinity electrophoresis. RESULTS: In phenobarbital-treated dogs with high serum total AP activity in the cross-sectional study, the increase was due predominantly to increased activities of the corticosteroid-induced (C-AP) and liver (L-AP) isoenzymes. Prospectively, serum total AP and L-AP activities were significantly higher at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after the start of phenobarbital treatment compared with pretreatment values. Serum C-AP and bone isoenzyme (B-AP) activities were significantly higher after 6 and 12 months of treatment. B-AP accounted for only a small amount of the total AP activity. No unusual or previously unidentified AP isoenzymes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Phenobarbital treatment was associated with increased C-AP and L-AP isoenzyme activities and with a minor increase in B-AP activity. No unique "phenobarbital-induced" isoenzyme was identified. Isoenzyme analysis does not appear to be useful for differentiating between high serum total AP due to phenobarbital therapy and other causes.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15570558/