Effect of Heroin Use on Liver Enzymes

Aim: A study of enzymes in the liver of heroin addicts enables a precise overview of the degree of the liver damages caused by heroin abuse, deviation of enzymes from the normal healthy values and degree of presence of hepatitis in intravenous heroin abusers.

Materials and Methods: The levels of three liver enzymes alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in blood samples of the heroin addicts were investigated. The liver function tests were conducted on 25 serum samples of heroin addicts and 25 control serum samples. The age of male subjects was between 25-45 years.

Results and Discussion: In the investigated group of heroin addicts, serum samples showed changes in the enzyme levels. Nearly 52% heroin addicts showed elevated liver enzymes and 32% out of 52% heroin addicts showed elevated enzyme levels with positive HCV and HBsAg tests. The established changes correlated with the duration of heroin abuse and presence of HBV and HCV positive results. The study showed that the most prominent change is the elevation of enzymes and it is the only direct consequence of liver damage due to heroin use.