ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOLIC LIVER-INJURY - NEW DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC TESTS

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 102  (8) , 393-395
Abstract
Recently developed tests that measure levels of .alpha.-amino-n-butyric acid (AANB) and serum glutamic dehydrogenase (GDH) may improve screening for early detection of heavy drinking and liver injury, respectively. With these tests, a 3-level approach to the problem is now possible: detection of heavy drinking on the basis of a biochemical marker (such as AANB); detection of liver injury (necrosis and inflammation) on the basis of serum liver tests (such as GDH); and detection of alcoholics in whom cirrhosis is prone to develop by the screening of liver biopsy specimens for precirrhotic lesions (such as pericentral sclerosis).