Heat inactivation is primarily used to distinguish which types of ALP?

Heat inactivation is a technique used to differentiate between various isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) based on their thermal stability. In this context, the primary application of heat inactivation is to distinguish liver-derived ALP from bone-derived ALP.

Liver ALP is more heat stable than bone ALP, meaning that when an enzyme sample is subjected to heat treatments, the liver isoenzyme retains more of its activity compared to the bone isoenzyme. This characteristic allows for an effective differentiation between the two types based on their response to temperature.

Understanding this principle is important in clinical laboratory settings when interpreting ALP levels in serum. Elevated ALP levels can originate from different tissues, and correctly identifying the source of elevation is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. Thus, the correct application of heat inactivation helps healthcare professionals determine whether elevated ALP levels are primarily from liver or bone sources, which can indicate different underlying health issues.