Aspartate aminotransferase is increased: what does it mean, the causes

Our body, perhaps, can be considered the most "advanced technology" that Mother Nature has created. In it, each organ is unique in its "design," and its capabilities are not as surprising as it amazes. And if you go deeper into the study of the whole organism, you can meet a considerable number of complex terms. Often in the analyzes you can find such a difficult-to-pronounce phrase such as aspartate aminotransferase is increased. And yet this refers to the topic of amino acid cleavage. It is worth to get acquainted with this term a little closer.

What is the term?

This word means a special enzyme that participates in the cleavage operation, practically, of any amino acid in our body. Abbreviated it is called ASAT or denoted by capital letters AST. The enzyme is found in the tissues of many organs, such as:

• liver;
• a heart;
• Nerve tissues;
• Kidney;
• Muscle;
• pancreas;
• spleen;
• lungs;
• Brain tissue.

And the most of the enzyme is contained in the tissues of the heart, kidneys, nerve cells, liver.

Thus, the diagnosis of any disease associated with these organs implies the fact that aspartate aminotransferase is increased. In the lungs, spleen and pancreas, the amount of enzyme is not so great. In this case, the male body differs from the female with high activity of AST.

ACAT Functionality

The enzyme is a protein molecule, which is produced by the cellular tissues of internal organs. Its structure was established by Russian scientists in the 70's. The function of the enzyme is to accelerate the biochemical reactions taking place in the cells. With the participation of vitamin B6, it becomes possible to exchange amino acids. During the complex transformation of many amino acids, including aspartic, a new compound is formed. It is thanks to him that the synthesis of glucose, which is so necessary for our body, is carried out.

Features of ACT

Each of us sooner or later came across such a phrase as aspartate aminotransferase was increased. What this means, not everyone knows. In this regard, lift the veil. In a healthy organism, the enzyme is contained in the cells of these internal organs, which is the norm. Only a small part of the AST can penetrate into the blood. For information - the concentration of the enzyme in the heart exceeds its amount by the blood flow by 10 thousand times.

But if the tissue of any organ is damaged, then aspartate aminotransferase, released, penetrates into the blood and the amount of enzyme begins to increase. The growth rate depends on the degree of tissue damage. For example, with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, the AST concentration will peak in a day.

In some cases, the enzyme level can exceed the norm by a factor of 5, and this indicator can last for 7 days. And then someone might ask: if aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is increased, what does this mean? Such high activity is a characteristic sign of the patient's severe condition, which often results in an unfavorable outcome.

If the growth of enzyme concentration occurs at a gradual and increasing rate, it means that the zone of the infarction increases. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase can be triggered by the death of liver tissue.

What can be a high activity of ASAT?

Often a high concentration of aspartate aminotransferase in the bloodstream causes myocardial infarction. At the same time, the amount of enzyme can be more than 10 times higher, and the higher it is, the greater the area of damage to the heart muscle. On the fourth day of treatment, a reanalysis is usually performed. Its result will show whether aspartate aminotransferase is increased or not. In the case of effective therapy, its concentration should decrease.

A high level of ASAT can also 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 the elevated level of the enzyme can also be found in quite healthy people. So, activity can be:

• At children at presence of inflammations.
• In women during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• With excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• When taking certain medications: valerian, various antibiotics or paracetamol.

Large physical exertion also has a negative impact in this respect. In addition, if aspartate aminotransferase is increased, the causes may be hidden in the use of drugs based on barbituric acid, taking contraceptives can also lead to an increase in ASAT.

The reasons for increasing AST

The causes of elevated levels of the enzyme, as mentioned above, may be myocardial infarction. With this diagnosis, a high activity of aspartate aminotransferase is registered in 95-98% of all patients. At the same time, the value can reach 3000 units / l. In other cases, a high level of enzyme is observed with liver necrosis. This disease, in turn, can be caused by hepatitis of different forms. The AST level thus exceeds the normal values by 10-100 times.

Among other diseases, it is worth noting angina pectoris, acute pancreatitis, bile duct obstruction, cancer cells or liver metastases. Another concentration of the enzyme may increase due to injury, getting burned, the beginning of the process of death of muscle cells, under the influence of heat stroke. Here you can include the patient's condition in the postoperative period.

The fact that aspartate aminotransferase is increased in a child may indicate the presence of hepatitis, muscular dystrophy, acute myocarditis, jaundice.

The reasons for the decline of AST

The level of the enzyme can not only increase, but also decrease. There is this for various reasons. As a rule, it occurs in pregnant women. In other cases, a decreased level of aspartate aminotransferase is observed in children and adults due to muscular dystrophy, traumas of varying severity, cerebral infarction, hypothyroidism or acute pancreatitis. Due to a lack of vitamin B6 or a liver rupture, a deficiency of the protein molecule is also diagnosed.

Indications for the purpose of the assay

Analysis for the determination of the level of the enzyme AST should be carried out, in order to identify the presence of some serious pathologies:

• Whether there are oncological processes in the liver cells;
• Whether there are metastases;
• Elevated blood aspartate aminotransferase may indicate the presence of infectious mononucleosis or viral damage to the lymphatic system;
• Diseases of an autoimmune type (eg, Duchenne-Becker's myodystrophy) ;
• Myocardial infarction;
• Cirrhosis;
• Also the analysis will show the presence of hepatitis of any form, including liver necrosis.

In addition, the revealed abnormalities of the musculature and the liver, as a minimum, should make you think about giving the analysis.

Only the result obtained can confirm or deny the diagnosis. This will allow to take the necessary measures in time. If there have not been any major changes, it is only for the better.

Preparation is an important condition

As with some examinations, the analysis must be taken seriously, as taking medication, whether it is a doctor prescribed medication or herbal decoction, can negatively affect the results of the analysis, which will be inaccurate.

Therefore, to know exactly, aspartate aminotransferase is increased or not, it is necessary to stop taking medication. If for any reason this can not be done, you should inform the attending physician who needs to provide all the information regarding the drug. Namely, the dosage and time of its adoption. Women conducting laboratory tests can spoil pregnancy.

Conducting analysis and indicators of the norm

The material for investigation is exclusively venous blood or serum. Its fence is made on an empty stomach in the morning hours. The whole procedure does not take much time and passes 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 persist for about 6 days.

As for the question, where it is possible to pass such an analysis, it is necessary to contact specialized laboratories that carry out biochemical analyzes. In some cases, to learn ACT (aspartate aminotransferase) is increased or normal, it is possible to undergo a study in a polyclinic at the place of propiska or any medical state institution. Only it is necessary to know in advance whether its laboratory has the necessary equipment and tools for such analysis.

Normal indicators for each group of people have their own. For example, in newborns the concentration of AST is 25-75 U / l, while in children slightly older (1-18 years) it is equal to 15-60 U / l. Normal values for women range from 10 to 36 U / l, and in men - from 14 to 20 U / l.