Aspartate TransaminaseAspartate transaminase is an enzyme that has raised levels in acute liver damage, as with liver cancer or hepatitis. It's also found in red blood cells, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, the pancreas, and the kidney. In liver function tests, elevated levels of aspartate transaminase is a sign of serious liver damage, even before any other symptoms are seen in the patient.
Aminotransferases like aspartate transaminase transfer amino groups to ketoacids in the synthesis of amino acids, or proteins. If the aminotransferases are not working properly, critical proteins are not being created, and a variety of symptoms up to the dissolution of the cell wall may be seen. Presence of aminotransferaces indicates increased plasma activity, which generally indicates that enzymes are leaking from the cytoplasm and mitochondria as a result of tissue damage.
Aspartate transaminase in particular is a signifier of alcohol damage. Liver testing primarily measures two transaminases: alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). If there is injury to the liver, they are likely to be present (but their presence does not necessarily mean injury to the liver, though it is a signifier of serious problems). The comparable levels of ALT and AST is the critical measure. An AST is generally lower than the ALT in any disease process. If the AST is higher, particularly double or triple the ALT, that generally indicates alcoholic liver disease.
Web Resources On Aspartate Transaminase
Aspartate Aminotransferase
Serum mitochondrial aspartate transaminase activity after isoflurane or halothane anaesthesia
Book Resources On Aspartate TransaminaseA review of serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) methods by Sidney B. Rosalki
The Liver Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery by Sanjiv Chopra
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