The potential effect of alcohol on carbohydrate antigen 19-9, alkaline phosphatase, IgA and IgG in alcohol abusers

Abstract EN

In Egypt, alcohol drinking is considered one of the most serious problems which worry both the government and the population.

The present study has been conducted to evaluate the potential effects of alcohol in man.

In this study, the biological parameters including, carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19-9) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were determined in serum of the control group, alcohol drinkers group for 5 years and alcohol drinkers group for 10 years.

Our results indicated that the CA19-9 level and alkaline phosphatase activity significantly increased in the serum of the two studied alcohol groups compared to the control group.

While the level of serum IgA and IgG were significantly increased in alcohol drinkers group for 5 years and then their levels were significantly decreased in the 2nd alcohol drinkers group for 10 years as compared to corresponding level in control group and the effect of alcohol was more clearly in alcohol abusers for 10 years than abused for 5 years.

These results showed the harmful effects of alcohol on health.

Therefore, this work reflects the fact that although alcohol drinkers may superficially look healthy, biochemical tests have indicated early signs of health deterioration which are apparently related to the length of drinking.