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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1935, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of alkaline phosphatase was
in 1935
Dictionary Entries Near alkaline phosphatase
Cite this Entry
“Alkaline phosphatase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alkaline%20phosphatase. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
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 phosphataseMore from Merriam-Webster on alkaline phosphatase
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alkaline phosphatase
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