Aminotransaminases: Structures, Functions And Clinical Significance

Abstract

The liver exerts critical functions in metabolic reactions, nutrition, detoxifying toxins, and excretion of wastes from the body. Aminotransferase are: There are two enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of amino acids: ALT and AST. The presence of them is indicative of damage to liver cells. High levels of transaminases can aid health care providers to diagnose frequent and risky hepatic disease. Both nonalcoholic and alcoholic hepatic diseases are the most well-known etiologic factors of high transaminase levels. ALT is made up of 496 amino acids. It can be detected at low levels in serum, and in high levels in the liver. Several health problems can result in increased ALT concentrations, including: celiac disease, some muscle disorders, thyroid disorders, hereditary hemochromatosis, heart failure, hepatitis, obesity, alcohol consumption, acetaminophen, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. AST is made up of two typical dimers. It is a good indicator of human health and are of great clinical importance. High AST concentrations are frequently associated to septic shock, acute myocardial infarction, drug toxicity, cholestatic syndromes, cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, inflammatory liver disease (viral hepatitis), exercise, thyroid disease, myopathy, hemolysis and skeletal muscle injury.