Enzymes are proteins found in the body that speed
up (catalyze) certain chemical reactions. Liver enzymes perform these jobs
within the liver. Liver enzymes test formerly called live r function tests that
detect inflammation and damage of the liver. They also check how well the liver
is working; they give information about the state of a patient’s liver (Lee,
2009). Liver enzymes includes
up (catalyze) certain chemical reactions. Liver enzymes perform these jobs
within the liver. Liver enzymes test formerly called live r function tests that
detect inflammation and damage of the liver. They also check how well the liver
is working; they give information about the state of a patient’s liver (Lee,
2009). Liver enzymes includes
1.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
2.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
3.
Alkaline phosphate (ALP)
Alkaline phosphate (ALP)
4.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
5.
5’nucleotidase
5’nucleotidase
ALT and AST are collectively known as transferase
or transaminase. They are the two common liver enzymes. ALP, GGT and
5’nucleotidase are collectively known as cholestatic liver enzymes, their
function is the production of bile which helps digest fat. Elevation of these
enzymes can indicate the presence of liver disease.
or transaminase. They are the two common liver enzymes. ALP, GGT and
5’nucleotidase are collectively known as cholestatic liver enzymes, their
function is the production of bile which helps digest fat. Elevation of these
enzymes can indicate the presence of liver disease.
Alanine transferase (alt)
It is also called Alanine aminotransaminase or
serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). It is found in the plasma and in
various body tissues but is most commonly associated with the liver. It
reference range is 10 – 40 iu/L.
serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). It is found in the plasma and in
various body tissues but is most commonly associated with the liver. It
reference range is 10 – 40 iu/L.
It catalyzed the transfer of an amino group from
L-alanine to
-ketoglutarate, the product of this reversible
transferase reaction being pyruvate and L-glutamate. ALT (and all transaminase)
requires the co-enzymes pyridoxamine in the first phase of the reaction, when
an Amino acid is converted into a keto acid.
L-alanine to
-ketoglutarate, the product of this reversibletransferase reaction being pyruvate and L-glutamate. ALT (and all transaminase)
requires the co-enzymes pyridoxamine in the first phase of the reaction, when
an Amino acid is converted into a keto acid.
Clinical significance
It is commonly measured clinically as a part of a
diagnostic evaluation of the patocelluler injury to determine liver health.
When used in diagnostics, it is almost always measured in international
units/liter (Iu/L) (Wang et al.,
2012). Wang et al., 2012 also
reported that while source vary on specific reference range values for
patients, 10 – 40 Iu/L is the standard reference range for experimental
studies. Significantly, elevated level of ALT often suggest the existence of
liver damage as it is predominant in the liver, hence it is commonly used as a
way of screening for liver problems.
diagnostic evaluation of the patocelluler injury to determine liver health.
When used in diagnostics, it is almost always measured in international
units/liter (Iu/L) (Wang et al.,
2012). Wang et al., 2012 also
reported that while source vary on specific reference range values for
patients, 10 – 40 Iu/L is the standard reference range for experimental
studies. Significantly, elevated level of ALT often suggest the existence of
liver damage as it is predominant in the liver, hence it is commonly used as a
way of screening for liver problems.
Aspartate transaminase (ast)
Aspartate transaminase (AST) or aspartate
aminotranferase also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)
catalyzes the reversible transfer of an-amino group between aspartate and glutamate and
such is an important enzymes in amino acid metabolism. AST is found in the
liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, brain and red blood cells.AST catalyzes
the interconversion of aspartate and-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate.
aminotranferase also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)
catalyzes the reversible transfer of an
-amino group between aspartate and glutamate andsuch is an important enzymes in amino acid metabolism. AST is found in the
liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, brain and red blood cells.AST catalyzes
the interconversion of aspartate and
-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate.
Aspartate
+-ketoglutarate ßà oxaloacetate + glutamate.
+
-ketoglutarate ßà oxaloacetate + glutamate.
Clinical significance
It is
commonly measured clinically as a part of a diagnostic evaluation of
hepatocelluler injury to determine liver health. AST and ALT are considered to
be two of the most important tests to detect liver injury, although ALT is more
specific for the liver than AST.
Sometimes, AST is compared directly to ALT and AST/ALT ratio is calculated. The
ratio may be used to distinguish between different causes of liver damage and
to distinguish liver injury from damage to heart or muscle (Nyblom, et al., 2006).
commonly measured clinically as a part of a diagnostic evaluation of
hepatocelluler injury to determine liver health. AST and ALT are considered to
be two of the most important tests to detect liver injury, although ALT is more
specific for the liver than AST.
Sometimes, AST is compared directly to ALT and AST/ALT ratio is calculated. The
ratio may be used to distinguish between different causes of liver damage and
to distinguish liver injury from damage to heart or muscle (Nyblom, et al., 2006).
