alkaline phosphatase

noun

: any of the phosphatases that are optimally active in alkaline medium and occur in especially high concentrations in bone, the liver, the kidneys, and the placenta

Examples of alkaline phosphatase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If your results show elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase (one of the liver enzymes), your doctor may refer you to a hepatologist for further testing. —Brittany Risher, SELF, 6 Dec. 2024

High levels of alkaline phosphatase may indicate the presence of liver problems or bone disorders.4 Alanine transaminase (ALT) test: This enzyme is mostly found in the liver. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 16 Aug. 2024

After six months of treatment, P. mirifica was linked to lower bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels.3 High AP levels are associated with a high bone turnover rate and bone loss. —Beth Thomas, Verywell Health, 7 June 2024

The researchers calculated participants’ biological ages by analyzing nine biomarkers found in the blood: albumin, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, C-reactive protein, glucose, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, white blood cell count, and lymphocyte proportion. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 18 Apr. 2024

But according to the new Food and Function study, eggs appear to activate a group of bodily enzymes called alkaline phosphatase, which can strengthen bones. —Sarah Garone, Health, 23 Mar. 2024

Strensiq replaces a deficient enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, and allows the bones to mineralize. —New York Times, 25 Aug. 2019

So Halámek and his team focused on levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme found in blood, to determine age. —National Geographic, 29 June 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

alkaline phosphatase

noun

: any of the phosphatases that are enzymes active chiefly in alkaline medium and occur in especially high concentrations in bone, the liver, the kidneys, and the placenta

Normally, blood levels of alkaline phosphatase, which are a measure of bone cell growth and bone rebuilding, begin declining with age and remain very low throughout old age.

—Sally Squires, The Washington Post

Note: A test measuring the level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood serum is an important diagnostic indicator for diseases especially of the bone, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

compare acid phosphatase