TRANSFERRIN ISOFORM DISTRIBUTION - GENDER AND ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION

Transferrin (Tf) has different isoforms based on the degree of sialyla tion of its two N-linked oligosaccharide chains. The least sialylated isoforms of Tf; with 0 (asialo Tf), 1 (monosialo Tf), and 2 (disialo T f) sialic acids are referred to as carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT). CDT has been reported to be a specific and sensitive marker for the detection and monitoring of alcohol abuse. However, the possible differences between the three CDT isoforms in males and females relati ve to alcohol consumption has not been known. The present study includ ed 82 males (M) and 43 females (F) with well documented drinking habit s, The Tf isoforms were separated by FPLC(R) and measured by RIA in th e collected fractions, as well as by a commercially available method ( CDTect(R) RIA). The results were expressed as relative Values and abso lute values. Female row consumers compared to male low consumers had h igher levels of asialo Tf (p < 0.01) and monosialo Tf (p < 0.01), but not of dislalo Tf or sum of asialo, monosialo, and disialo Tf. Male hi gh consumers and chronic consumers compared to male low consumers had 53% and 219% higher levels of asialo Tf, 4% and 28% higher monosialo T f, 57% and 148% higher disialo Tf, and 48% and 134% higher sum of CDT isoforms, respectively, The corresponding increases in females were fo r asialo Tf 68% and 249%, for monosialo Tf 36% and 58%, for disialo Tf 54% and 225%, and for sum of CDT isoforms 52% and 192%, respectively, For both genders, total Tf, trisialo Tf, and the levels of more sialy lated transferrin isoforms were constant when comparing the consumptio n groups. Results expressed as relative values and absolute values wer e in good agreement. in conclusion, the present study indicates that a lcohol consumption strongly increases the levels of asialo Tf and disi alo Tf and slightly increases the level of monosialo Tf. However, wome n had higher asialo Tf and monosialo Tf levels than men. Alcohol consu mption does not increase trisialo or more sialyated Tf subfractions. E xpressing the CDT results as absolute or relative values made no obvio us difference in diagnostic efficiency.