Our body, perhaps, can be considered the most “advanced technology” that Mother Nature has created. Each organ in it is unique in its “design”, and with its capabilities it is not so surprising as it is amazing. And if you delve into the study of the whole organism, then you can meet a considerable number of complex terms. Often, in tests that can be delivered, you can find such an unpronounceable phrase as aspartate aminotransferase increased. Meanwhile, this relates to the topic of the breakdown of amino acids. It is worth getting acquainted with this term a little closer.
What is the term?
This word means a special enzyme that is involved in the cleavage of virtually any amino acid in our body. It is abbreviated as AcAT or denoted by capital letters AST. The enzyme is found in the tissues of many organs, such as:
- liver;
- heart;
- nerve tissue;
- kidneys
- muscle
- pancreas;
- spleen;
- lungs;
- brain tissue.
Moreover, most of the enzyme is found in the tissues of the heart, kidneys, nerve cells, and liver.
Thus, the diagnosis of any disease associated with these organs implies the fact that aspartate aminotransferase is elevated. In the lungs, spleen and pancreas, the amount of enzyme is not so great. Moreover, the male body differs from the female in high AST activity.
Functionality of AsAT
An enzyme is a protein molecule that is produced by cellular tissues of internal organs. Its structure was established by Russian scientists back in the 70s. The function of the enzyme is to accelerate the biochemical reactions that occur in the cells. With the participation of vitamin B6, an exchange of amino acids becomes possible. During the complex conversion of many amino acids, including aspartic, a new compound is formed. It is thanks to him that glucose is synthesized, which is so necessary for our body.
AST features
Each of us sooner or later came across such a phrase as aspartate aminotransferase increased. Not everyone knows what this means. In this regard, slightly open the veil. In a healthy body, the enzyme is contained in the cells of the mentioned internal organs, which is the norm. Only a small portion of AST can enter the bloodstream. For information - the concentration of the enzyme in the heart exceeds its amount in the bloodstream by 10 thousand times.
But if the tissue of any organ is damaged, then aspartate aminotransferase, released, penetrates the blood and the amount of the enzyme begins to increase. The growth rate depends on the degree of tissue damage. For example, with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, the concentration of AST will reach a maximum in a day.
In some cases, the level of the enzyme can exceed the norm by 5 times, and such an indicator can last for 7 days. And then someone may wonder: if aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is elevated, what does this mean? Such high activity is a characteristic sign of the patient’s serious condition, which often ends in an unfavorable outcome.
If the increase in the concentration of the enzyme is gradual and increasing, then this means that the infarction zone is increasing. Aspartate aminotransferase activity can be triggered by the death of liver tissue.
What could threaten the high activity of AsAT?
Often, a high concentration of aspartate aminotransferase in the blood stream is caused precisely by myocardial infarction. Moreover, the amount of the enzyme can be 10 times more than the norm, and the higher it is, the larger the area of ​​damage to the heart muscle. On the fourth day of treatment, a second test is usually prescribed. Its result will show whether aspartate aminotransferase is elevated or not. In the case of effective therapy, its concentration should decrease.
A high level of AsAT can be observed with liver damage due to the influence of several factors:
- Oncological diseases.
- Alcohol poisoning.
- Obesity.
- The presence of hepatitis.
Only in this case, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an additional examination. But elevated levels of the enzyme can be in completely healthy people. So, activity can be:
- In children with inflammation.
- In women during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- With excessive use of alcoholic beverages.
- When taking certain medications: valerian, various antibiotics, or paracetamol.
Large physical exertion also have a negative effect in this regard. In addition, if aspartate aminotransferase is increased, the reasons may be hidden in the use of drugs based on barbituric acid, taking contraceptives can also lead to an increase in AsAT.
Reasons for increasing AST
The reasons for the increased level of the enzyme, as mentioned above, can be myocardial infarction. With this diagnosis, high aspartate aminotransferase activity is recorded in 95-98% of all patients. Moreover, the value can reach the rate of 3000 units / liter. In other cases, a high level of the enzyme is observed with liver necrosis. This disease, in turn, can be caused by various forms of hepatitis. The AST level in this case exceeds the normal values ​​by 10-100 times.
Among other diseases, it is worth noting angina pectoris, acute pancreatitis, obstruction of the bile ducts, cancer cells or liver metastases. Even the concentration of the enzyme may increase due to injury, burns, the beginning of the process of death of muscle cells, under the influence of heat stroke. This can also include the patient's condition in the postoperative period.
The fact that aspartate aminotransferase is elevated in a child may indicate the presence of hepatitis, muscular dystrophy, acute myocarditis, and jaundice.
Reasons for lowering AST
The enzyme level can not only increase, but also decrease. This happens for various reasons. This usually occurs in pregnant women. In other cases, in children and adults due to muscle dystrophy, injuries of varying severity, cerebral infarction, hypothyroidism, or acute pancreatitis, a reduced level of aspartate aminotferase is observed. Due to a lack of vitamin B6 or a liver rupture, a protein molecule deficiency is also diagnosed.
Indications for analysis
Analysis to determine the level of the enzyme AST should be carried out in order to identify the presence of some serious pathologies:
- do oncological processes occur in liver cells;
- whether there are metastases;
- elevated blood aspartate aminotransferase may indicate the presence of infectious mononucleosis or viral damage to the lymphatic system;
- autoimmune diseases (for example, Duchenne-Becker myodystrophy);
- myocardial infarction;
- cirrhosis;
- analysis will also show the presence of hepatitis of any form, including liver necrosis.
In addition, the revealed deviations of the muscles and liver, at least, should make you think about passing the analysis.
Only the result obtained can confirm or refute the diagnosis. This will make it possible to take the necessary measures in a timely manner. If any major changes have not occurred, then this is only for the best.
Preparation is an important condition
As with some examinations, the analysis must be taken seriously, because taking medications, whether it is a prescribed medicine by a doctor or a herbal decoction, can negatively affect the results of the analysis, which will be inaccurate.
Therefore, in order to know for sure whether aspartate aminotransferase is elevated or not, you must stop taking the medicine. If for some reason this cannot be done, the attending physician should be informed who needs to provide all the information regarding the drug. Namely, the dosage and time of its adoption. Laboratory tests can ruin a pregnancy for women.
Analysis and norm indicators
The material for the study is exclusively venous blood or serum. Her fence is made on an empty stomach in the morning. The whole procedure does not take much time and takes place without pain. The result will be ready after 6-10 hours. Serum can be stored for 48 hours at a temperature of 15-25 degrees. In cooler conditions (2-8 ° C), it will last about 6 days.
As for the question of where such an analysis can be taken, you should contact specialized laboratories that conduct biochemical analyzes. In some cases, in order to know AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is elevated or normal, you can go through a study at the clinic at the place of registration or any medical public institution. You just need to first know if her laboratory has the necessary equipment and tools for such an analysis.
Normal indicators for each group of people are different. For example, in newborns, the concentration of AST is 25-75 U / L, while in children a little older (1-18 years) it is 15-60 U / L. Normal values ​​for women range from 10 to 36 units / liter, and for men - from 14 to 20 units / liter.