Abstract
From April 2020, the JSCC method using 2-ethylaminoethanol (EAE) buffer solution has been used to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in Japan. It was decided to gradually shift to the IFCC method using a 2-amino-2-methylpropanol (AMP) buffer solution, which is also a commonly used reagent. When our hospital was preparing to switch to the IFCC method, we learned about the training workshop on ALP activity conducted by the Japanese Association of Medical Technologists Kinki Branch and participated in it. Its purpose is “Understand the reagent components of the JSCC method and IFCC method, and be able to prepare them yourself. You can measure and calculate the activity value by yourself. Understand that the activity value differs depending on the ABO blood type.” After preparing the reagents myself for the JSCC and IFCC methods during the practical training workshop, ALP activity was measured using type A, type B, type O, and type AB blood samples collected from subjects before and after a meal. As a result, among the samples analyzed by the JSCC and IFCC methods, type A blood samples showed the lowest ALP activity and type B blood samples showed the highest rate of increase after meals compared with before meals. The ratio of ALP activity determined by the JSCC method to that determined by the IFCC method was approximately 3.0. These results were similar to those in previous reports. Approximately one year after the practical training workshop, the ALP reagent was switched to the IFCC method in April 2021. The knowledge and skills gained from the practical training workshop were useful, and the ALP activity could be measured with confidence. For persons in charge of clinical chemistry tests, it is essential to know the reagent components and characteristics and to be able to measure and calculate the activity value by yourself.
