Enzymes in Blood Plasma

Enzymes in Blood Plasma gives a comprehensive account of the current state of research and practical application of biochemistry and biology, as well as the pathology and clinical aspects of plasma enzymes. Enzymes in blood plasma, for reasons of principle and methods, are not limited to plasma-specific enzymes, which are only briefly mentioned. Emphasis will rather be placed on plasma-nonspecific enzymes, i.e., enzymes of identical properties in plasma and serum. Their action is, for technical reasons, generally determined in serum. The enzymes in plasma will be stressed in this presentation, but the situation in other extracellular spaces and even extracorporeal areas such as urine, excreta, and feces will be included. There exists no basic difference of enzyme function in these biological areas. Many of the findings reported in this volume were obtained with the old units and methods, rather than the International Unit. For this reason, the section dealing with methods includes a table for conversion, which can be used for comparison of data, insofar as these data were obtained under optimalconditions of measurement.

Preface to the English Language Edition

Abbreviations

I. Introduction

II. Biochemistry and Biology of Plasma Enzymes

A. Classification of Plasma Enzymes

B. Methods of Identification

1. General Principles

2. Structural Pattern as a Means of Identification of Plasma Enzymes (Heterogeneity of Enzymes)

3. Enzyme Distribution Patterns

4. Methods of Experimental Pathology

5. Problems of Identification

C. Origin of the Normal Plasma Enzymes

D. Synthesis and Breakdown of Plasma Enzymes

1. Synthesis

2. Elimination, Inactivation, and Breakdown

E. Mechanism of Enzyme Release

F. Kinetics of Plasma Enzyme Levels

G. Quantitative Diagnosis

III. Pathology and Clinic

A. Introduction

B. Diseases of the Heart

1. Pathogenesis of Enzyme Changes

2. Diagnosis

C. Diseases of the Liver and Biliary Duct

1. Pathogenesis of Enzyme Changes

2. Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis

D. Pancreatic Disease

E. Disorders of Muscle

F. Diseases of the Blood

G. Diseases of the Kidney

H. Diseases of Bone

I. Diseases of Children

K. Diseases of the Nervous System

L. Obstetric, Gynecological, and Surgical Diseases

M. Neoplasms

N. Enzyme Activity in Benign and Malignant Effusions

IV. Methods

A. Definitions

B. Basis of Measurement of Activity

C. Applications

References

Index