Aspartate Aminotransferase

Aka: Aspartate Aminotransferase, Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase, Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, Serum AST, AST, SGOT

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II. Definitions

  1. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT)
    1. Serum transaminase marker of hepatocyte injury
    2. AST is also found in Muscle, liver and brain
      1. Contrast with ALT which is specific to the liver

III. Labs

  1. Level: <35 U/L
  2. Elevation Severity (based on Upper Limit of Normal or ULN)
    1. Borderline <2x ULN
    2. Mild 2-5x ULN
    3. Moderate 5-15x ULN
    4. Severe >15x ULN
    5. Massive >10,000 U/L

IV. Increased

  1. See Liver Function Test Abnormality
  2. Sensitive marker for hepatocellular marker
    1. Same causes as Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
  3. AST is less specific then ALT (present outside liver)
    1. Heart, lung, Kidney, brain, Pancreas, Muscle
    2. White Blood Cells and Red Blood Cells
  4. Liver disease causes of increased AST
    1. See Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
  5. Non-liver disease causes of increased AST
    1. Myocardial Infarction
    2. Myocarditis
    3. Renal Infarction
    4. Pulmonary Infarction
    5. Severe muscle Trauma
    6. Dermatomyositis
    7. Polymyositis
    8. Malignancy
    9. Seizure Disorder
    10. Hyperthyroidism
    11. Celiac Sprue
    12. Hemolysis
  6. Conditions with ratio of AST to ALT > 2
    1. Alcoholism
    2. Wilson's Disease (ratio may exceed 4)

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