To Estimate the Activity of Acid
Phosphatase in Serum^27
27.1 Theory
The greatest activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) occurs in semen (prostate gland).
ACP is lysosomal enzyme. The prostatic enzyme is found in lysosome of prostrate
epithelium. Small amounts are also present in the platelets, leucocytes, liver, kidney,
spleen, and pancreas. Approximately one-half of the total serum ACP activity in
males is contributed from the prostate. The rest of activity is due to the liver and
disintegrating platelets and erythrocytes. In females, activity is from the liver,
erythrocytes, and platelets.
27.2 Specimen Requirements
Serum is used. Separate serum and analyze it immediately. Avoid hemolysis. Citrate
buffer or acetic acid may be added to attain pH of 5.5–6.5 to preserve activity.
27.3 Principle........................................
Principle is the same as for ALP except that the substrate is hydrolyzed by enzyme
ACP at pH 5.0 with liberation of phenol.
27.4 Reagents........................................
Same as used for ALP activity assay except the use of citrate buffer instead of
carbonate-bicarbonate buffer.
Citrate Buffer (pH 5.0): Dissolve 21 g of citric acid and 7.5 g NaOH in about
450 ml distilled water, and adjust pH 5.0 and makefinal volume to 500 ml with
distilled water.
#Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018
V. Kumar, K. D. Gill,Basic Concepts in Clinical Biochemistry: A Practical Guide,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8186-6_27
111