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Aspartate Aminotransferase
MessagePerformed in Chemistry
Test Code
AST
Alias/See Also
AST
SGOT
Aspartate Amino Transferase
SGOT
Aspartate Amino Transferase
CPT Codes
84450
Preferred Specimen
Green Top LiHep, Plasma
WyMCC - 3 ml SST
WyMCC - 3 ml SST
Other Acceptable Specimens
Gold/SST or Red Top
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature 4 days
Refrigerated 7 days
Frozen 3 months
Refrigerated 7 days
Frozen 3 months
FDA Status
FDA Approved
Setup Schedule
Daily, Sunday through Saturday
Report Available
Less than 4 hours
Clinical Significance
Enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is widely distributed in tissue, principally hepatic, cardiac, muscle, and kidney. Elevated
serum levels are found in diseases involving these tissues. Hepatobiliary diseases, such as cirrhosis, metastatic carcinoma, and viral
hepatitis also increase serum AST levels. Following myocardial infarction, serum AST is elevated and reaches a peak two days after
onset.
In patients undergoing renal dialysis or those with vitamin B6 deficiency, serum AST may be decreased. Apparent reduction in AST
may be related to decreased pyridoxal phosphate, prosthetic group for AST, resulting in an increase in ratio of apoenzyme to
holoenzyme.
Two isoenzymes of AST have been detected, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial. Only cytoplasmic isoenzyme occurs in normal serum,
while the mitochondrial, together with cytoplasmic isoenzyme, has been detected in serum of patients with coronary and
hepatobiliary disease.
serum levels are found in diseases involving these tissues. Hepatobiliary diseases, such as cirrhosis, metastatic carcinoma, and viral
hepatitis also increase serum AST levels. Following myocardial infarction, serum AST is elevated and reaches a peak two days after
onset.
In patients undergoing renal dialysis or those with vitamin B6 deficiency, serum AST may be decreased. Apparent reduction in AST
may be related to decreased pyridoxal phosphate, prosthetic group for AST, resulting in an increase in ratio of apoenzyme to
holoenzyme.
Two isoenzymes of AST have been detected, cytoplasmic and mitochondrial. Only cytoplasmic isoenzyme occurs in normal serum,
while the mitochondrial, together with cytoplasmic isoenzyme, has been detected in serum of patients with coronary and
hepatobiliary disease.
