THE EFFECT OF DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS ON THE LIVER ENZYMES (AST, ALT & ALP) AND ELECTROLYTES - A study in Khartoum State

Abstract

A prospective study conducted during the period April to December 2004, compared serum level of the liver enzymes; a spartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline poshatase and serum levels of electrolytes (sodium and potassium) of 50 patients with diabetic ketoacidoisis, chosen randomly from Omdurman, Albolek, Elno and Khartoum north teaching hospitals, and 30 apparently, healthy individuals as controls. The serum levels of aspartate transminase AST, alanine transaminase (ALT) and potassium were all significantly raised (p<0.001) in the diabetic ketoacidosis group. Mean ± SD for controls versus diabetics. (17.1 ±1.7 versus 42.5± 7.0 u/L) for AST (14.5± 2 versus 37.8 ± 6.0 u/L) for ALT (3.8 ± 0.5 versus 5.8 ± 0.6 mmol) for potassium. The serum levels of sodium (Na+) were significantly reduced in the diabetic ketoacidosis group. Mean ± SD for controls versus diabetics. (138.7 ± 5.1 versus 129.1± 4.8 mmol/L) The serum levels of alkaline phosphatose (ALP) showed no significant difference when the study group is compared with the control group. (7.7 ± 2.1 versus 8.6 ± 2.5 KA u/l) for ALP. In the study group there were no significant difference between those belong to type I diabetes (n=40) and these belong to type II diabetes mellitus. (n=10) in serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and electrolytes Na+ and K+. (P>0.05). It is concluded that; the levels of transminase (AST, ALT) and potasium are significantly raised in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis while the levels of sodium are significantly reduced but those of Alkaline phosphatase are not affected.