Plasma prolidase and prolinase activity in alcoholic liver disease

Prolidase (EC 3.4.13.9) and prolinase (EC 3.4.13.8) activity was measured in the plasma of 53 patients with alcoholic liver disease. Plasma prolinase activity was not correlated with histological characteristics in liver biopsies. In contrast, prolidase activity rose significantly (p less than 0.02) in cirrhotic patients with alcoholic hepatitis in comparison with those without alcoholic hepatitis. It also showed a significant positive correlation with ASAT activity (r = 0.505, p less than 0.001) and with the ASAT/ALAT ratio (r = 0.452, p less than 0.001). Plasma prolidase activity did not allow the differentiation of patients with reversible fibrosis from those with cirrhosis. The interest of this new marker is discussed.