[Introduction, appreciation of plasma enzyme]

The heterogeneities of tissue enzymes and the enzyme distribution patterns of organs, tissues and plasma have now been established by many findings in various cases and diseases. Based on these precise laboratory data, the fields of clinical enzymology has been developed so as to analyze the very specific pathophysiological state in specific disorders. The characteristics of tumor-producing enzymes and genetically modified enzymes were additionally clarified by advances in molecular technology. Enzyme linked immunoglobulins were newly categorized enzyme abnormalities found in plasma enzymes. Genetical abnormalities of plasma enzymes fully explained the clotting abnormalities, hyper coagulability and hyperlipidemia. Based on these advances, the roles and future of clinical enzymology will be presented shown and discussed in this symposium.