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Test ID: AST
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) (GOT), Serum

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

The determination of AST is most often used in diagnosing and

monitoring liver disease, particularly diseases resulting in a

destruction of hepatocytes

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

AST is found in high concentrations in liver, heart, skeletal muscle

and kidney. AST is present in both cytoplasm and mitochondria of

cells. In cases involving mild tissue injury, the predominant form of

AST is that from the cytoplasm. Severe tissue damage results in

more of the mitochondrial enzyme being released. High levels of

AST can be found in cases such as myocardial infarction, acute

liver cell damage, viral hepatitis and carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

Slight to moderate elevation of AST is seen in muscular dystrophy,

dermatomyositis, acute pancreatitis and crushed muscle injuries.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Males

0-11 months: not established

1-13 years: 8-60 U/L

> or =14 years: 8-48 U/L

Females

0-11 months: not established

1-13 years: 8-50 U/L

> or =14 years: 8-43 U/L

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Elevated AST values are seen in parenchymal liver diseases

characterized by a destruction of hepatocytes. Values are typically

at least 10 times above the normal range. Levels may reach values

as high as one hundred times the upper reference limit, although

twenty to fifty-fold elevations are most frequently encountered. In

infectious hepatitis and other inflammatory conditions affecting the

liver, ALT is characteristically as high as or higher than AST, and the

ALT/AST ratio, which normally and in other condition is less than 1,

becomes greater than unity. AST levels are usually elevated before

clinical signs and symptoms of disease appear. Five to ten-fold

elevations of both AST and ALT occur in patients with primary or

metastatic carcinoma of the liver, with AST usually being higher

than ALT, but levels are often normal in the early stages of malignant

infiltration of the liver. Elevations of ALT activity persist longer than do

those of AST activity. Elevated AST values may also be seen in

disorders affecting the heart, skeletal muscle and kidney.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Pyridoxal phosphate is a co-factor in the reaction and is

necessary for enzyme activity.

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Edited by Burtis and

 Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Co, 1994