Review: the role of coenzymes in clinical enzymology

Coenzymes participate in many of the enzyme analyses performed in the clinical laboratory. Supplementation of assay systems with optimal levels of coenzymes has recently been recommended as part of efforts to achieve interlaboratory standardization of enzyme measurements. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase require pyridoxal phosphate for expression of enzyme activity. The role of this coenzyme in enzymatic transamination and the effects of its supplementation on the clinical estimation of these two enzymes is reviewed. Other coenzymes discussed are flavins, coenzymes for glutathione reductase, glucose oxidase, cholesterol oxidase and diaphorase, as well as thiamine pyrophosphate, coenzyme for transketolase. Catalase and peroxidase are used as examples of hemoproteins utilized in clinical measurements. Two peptide coenzymes, colipase and glutathione, are also considered. Measurement of apoenzyme stimulation upon supplementation with specific coenzymes is discussed as a valuable technique for quantitative coenzyme measurements or assessment of vitamin nutritional status.