Identification of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes in human liver biopsy specimens.

A sensitive method for detecting isoenzymes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in human liver biopsy specimens by simultaneous starch gel electrophoresis is described. All the currently recognised hepatic isoenzymes of ADH and ALDH which are concerned with ethanol metabolism can be identified. The method is suitable for amounts of liver biopsy material weighing as little as 2.5 mg and also allows spectrophotometric assay of ADH activity (at pH 8.8 and 11.0) and of ALDH.