Diagnostic Enzymes

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What are diagnostic enzymes?

Diagnostic enzymes are enzymes whose presence or concentration changes in certain diseases and are used in medical diagnostics to assess health conditions.

How do diagnostic enzymes provide insights into liver function?

Enzymes such as ALT and AST are used to assess liver function, as their elevated levels can indicate liver damage or stress.

How is creatine kinase (CK) used in diagnostics?

Elevated levels of CK in the blood can indicate muscle damage, myocardial infarction, or muscular dystrophy.

What role does lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) play in diagnostics?

LDH is used in diagnosing conditions related to tissue damage, including heart, liver, kidney diseases, and certain cancers.

Why is amylase important in diagnostic tests?

Amylase is crucial in diagnosing pancreatic disorders, particularly acute pancreatitis, where its levels significantly increase.

Which diagnostic enzyme is elevated in myocardial infarction?

Troponin is a key enzyme measured to evaluate myocardial infarction (heart attack).

How can enzymes indicate kidney disease?

Enzymes like creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are markers for assessing renal function and possible kidney diseases.

What is alkaline phosphatase (ALP) used for in diagnostics?

ALP is used to assess liver and bone diseases, as elevated levels suggest liver disorder or bone pathology.

Which enzyme is often elevated in muscle damage or muscular dystrophy?

Creatine kinase (CK) is often elevated in cases of muscle damage or muscular dystrophy.

How is acetylcholinesterase relevant in medical diagnostics?

Acetylcholinesterase activity is often measured in cases of organophosphate poisoning.

What diagnostic insights does gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) offer?

GGT helps diagnose liver diseases and bile duct obstructions when its levels are elevated.

In what condition do lipase levels significantly increase?

Lipase levels significantly increase in acute pancreatitis.

Which enzyme is a major marker for Gaucher's disease diagnosis?

The enzyme beta-glucocerebrosidase is deficient in Gaucher's disease.

How do enzymes assist in diagnosing prostate cancer?

The enzyme prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is used to screen and monitor prostate cancer.

How are enzymes used to monitor cystic fibrosis?

Enzymes like sweat chloride test or monitoring pancreatic enzyme levels help diagnose and monitor cystic fibrosis.


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