Alteration of α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) concentration in alcohol-dependent individuals without liver disease, during the detoxification therapy.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate for the first time, the alteration of α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) concentration in alcohol-dependent individuals without liver disease, before, during and at the end of the detoxification therapy.

METHODS: Forty-eight alcohol-dependent individuals without liver disease who were admitted for alcohol detoxification, and eighty-four healthy controls participated in this study. Patients' blood was obtained upon admission, two weeks later and after the completion of the detoxification period (4-5 weeks). Nagalase concentration in serum was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: Nagalase concentration was significantly elevated in the patient samples in all serum collections as compared to the normal controls, with a progressive fall from admission to discharge (p-value<0.001). Values differed significantly among the three time points, with a net shift to decrease, but remained still high, above normal control level at the end of the therapy. No significant correlations were detected among the nagalase levels and the liver enzymes values. Moreover, no significant correlation was found between the alterations of nagalase concentrations and the amount of consumed alcohol.

CONCLUSIONS: The high nagalase concentrations in alcohol abuse might be associated with macrophage impairment through decreasing the endogenous macrophage-activating factor (MAF) production by Gc-protein. The possible pathogenetic association between nagalase activity and alcohol overconsumption remains a matter of further investigation. Nagalase could also serve as a marker of alcohol overconsumption for the evaluation of alcohol-dependent individuals before, as well as during the detoxification therapy.