Aspartate aminotransferase is increased: what does this 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 getting acquainted with this term a little closer.

What's 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;
• heart;
• nerve tissue;
• of the kidney;
• muscle;
• pancreas;
• spleen;
• easy;
• of brain tissue.

The most of the enzyme is found 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.

Functionality ASAT

An enzyme is a protein molecule that 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 AST

Each of us sooner or later came across such a phrase as aspartate aminotransferase increased. What does this mean, not everyone knows. In this connection, we will open the veil. In a healthy body, 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, when released, penetrates into the blood and the amount of enzyme begins to increase. The rate of growth 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 may 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 ends in an unfavorable outcome.

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

What can the high activity of ASAT threaten?

Often a high concentration of aspartate aminotransferase in the blood stream causes exactly myocardial infarction. At the same time, the amount of enzyme can be more than 10 times normal, 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 to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an additional examination. But the raised level of an enzyme can be and at quite healthy people. So, activity can be:

• In children with inflammations.
• In women during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• In case of excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• When taking certain medicines: valerian, various antibiotics or paracetamol.

Large physical loads also have a negative impact in this regard. In addition, if aspartate aminotransferase is increased, the causes can 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 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 can be increased due to injury, getting a burn, starting the process of dying of muscle cells, under the influence of heat stroke. You can also 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.

Reasons for lowering AST

The level of the enzyme can not only increase, but decrease. This happens 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 liver rupture, a protein molecule deficiency is also diagnosed.

Indications for the purpose of the analysis of

The assay for the determination of the level of the enzyme AST must be carried out in order to identify the presence of some serious pathologies:

• whether oncological processes occur in the liver cells;
• is there a metastasis;
• elevated blood aspartate aminotransferase may indicate the presence of infectious mononucleosis or viral defeat of the lymphatic system;
• diseases of an autoimmune type( eg, Duchenne-Becker's myodystrophy);
• myocardial infarction;
• cirrhosis;
• also analyzes 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 taking the test.

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

Preparation is an important condition for

As with some examinations, the analysis must be taken seriously, as taking medication, whether it is a doctor-appointed 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 medications. 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 timing of its adoption. Women carrying out laboratory tests can spoil pregnancy.

Carrying out of the analysis and indicators of norm

The material for investigation is exclusively venous blood or serum. Her 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 remain approximately 6 days.

As for the question of where such an analysis can be performed, 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 for men - from 14 to 20 U / l.