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The article presents the results of studying the influence of cortical and vegetative mechanisms of regulation on the transaminase enzymes activity in blood serum of dry sows under exposure to a technological stimulus. The experiments were carried out on sows of large white breed of 3 years old. The results of research have shown that the indicators of conditioned reflex activity affect the activity of reamination enzymes in blood serum both under physiological conditions and after the exposure to a technological stimulus. According to the correlation analysis, the relationship between the strength and balance of cortical processes with serum alanine aminotransferase activity (r = 0.48–0.65; Р≤0.05–0.01), as well as the strength of cortical processes with aspartate aminotransferase activity (r = 0.51; P≤0.05). The significant influence (η2x = 0.23–0.36; Р≤0.01) of the balance of cortical processes on the activity of alanine aminotransferase in blood serum was established. Instead, the tone of the autonomic nervous system had a significant influence on the activity of reamination enzymes only after the exposure to a technological stimulus. In particular, the significant degree of influence (η2x = 0.28; P≤0.05) of sympathicotonia on the activity of alanine aminotransferase in blood serum on the 7th day after exposure to a technological stimulus was established.

Aim Elevation of hepatic aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST]/alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) is commonly noted among COVID-19 patients. It is unclear if they can predict the clinical outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We aim to assess if elevations in AST/ALT were associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated hospitalized COVID-19 patients with clinically significant elevated aminotransferases (defined as >2 times upper limit of normal) and compared them with COVID-19 patients without an elevation in aminotransferases. Results The prevalence of elevation in AST/ALT was found to be 13.7% (20/145). The two groups were similar in baseline demographics, comorbidities, and the majority of laboratory tests. There was no difference in the mortality (50% vs. 36.8%, P = 0.32) and median hospital stay (7 days vs. 7 days, P = 0.78). However, there was a statistically significant increase in the rates of mechanical ventilation among elevated aminotransferases group compared with individuals without elevation (50% vs. 24%, P = 0.028). However, this difference was not observed after adjusting for inflammatory markers such as ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and lactic acid levels. Conclusion Elevated aminotransferases among hospitalized COVID-19 patients is associated with higher rates of mechanical ventilation but did not achieve statistical significance after controlling for inflammatory markers. Also, patients with elevated aminotransferases did not have higher rates of mortality or prolonged length of stay.

Objective. To study the effect of intravenous infusions of Rheosorbilact on the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the plasma of operated patients with gastric cardiac cancer after proximal gastrectomy. Materials and methods. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity levels were studied in plasma of 40 operated patients with gastric cardiac cancer after proximal gastrectomy immediately after surgery, on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th day after intravenous infusions of the drug. The infusion of Rheosorbilact was administered intravenously, drip, for 5 days at a rate of 40 drops per minute. The daily dose of the drug was 1000.0 ml. Results. In patients with gastric cardiac cancer after proximal gastrectomy in the first days after surgery revealed changes in aminotransferases, which are accompanied by an increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in blood plasma. To correct the activity of plasma aminotransferases in such patients, Rheosorbilact was administered intravenously immediately after surgery. After repeated intravenous infusions of Rheosorbilact for 5 days, a significant decrease in the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in blood plasma in the operated patients was revealed. Conclusions. In the first days after proximal gastrectomy in patients with gastric cardiac cancer, an increase in the activity of aminotransferases in blood plasma was revealed. Repeated intravenous infusions of Rheosorbilact normalize the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the blood plasma of such patients in the early postoperative period. Infusion drug Rheosorbilact is recommended for widespread medical use in patients with cardiac gastric cancer after proximal gastrectomy, especially in the early postoperative period.

Acute hepatitis C (AHC) remains difficult to diagnose due to its asymptomatic course. The manuscript presents two children with AHC after known sexual and parenteral exposure, which allowed for close monitoring. Both developed increased aminotransferase activity, though the viral load was significantly higher after parenteral exposure. Lack of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance led to therapy with recombinant interferon-α with good toleration and response. The conclusion is that treatment of AHC was effective and well tolerated.

It is studied an aminotransferase activity during injection of thiamin bromide in rat tissues in normal and hypoxic enclosed space. After injection of thiamine bromide we have set reduction of AST and ALT activity, relative to control, except by the brain tissue, where there was an increase of investigated indicators. The decrease of activity of the investigated elements is occurred in animals which before hypoxia were injection of thiamine bromide

Background and aims Prolonged elevation of the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is as biochemical indicators for hepatic diseases. However, these enzymes are also present in a variety of extrahepatic tissues, including skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to call the attention to the often disregarded message that high level of transaminases may be a marker of both liver and muscle diseases. Methods We report a case series that included three male patients who were admitted to our paediatrics unit during the last 24 months with persistent elevated serum levels of aminotransferases. The diagnostic work-up included physical examination, screening for liver disease and muscular dystrophy: serum level of transaminases, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results The patients, all boys, were aged between 3 and 5 years, mean age of 3.7 years. The initial ALT and AST values were between 486–890 U/L and 344 and 680 U/L respectively. The serum level of ALT, generally considered to be specific for hepatocellular injury, was increased 10 to 25 times above normal in all the reported cases. LDH serum level was increased for all patients The neurological findings were all not remarkable: difficulty in running and jumping, frequent falls. Serum CPK level was found significantly increased. Genetic studies showed deletions in the Duchenne muscle dystrophy gene, exons 45–48 and 48-49-50 respectively. Paradoxically, the increase in ALT activity was greater than that of serum AST level. Conclusions High level of transaminases is most striking during the early stage of muscular dystrophy, before onset of or when only subtle signs of muscle disease are present. Serum CPK level and careful physical examination are the most useful and cost-effective means of correctly identifying these patients.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major and common mechanism in developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Replacement of dysfunctional mitochondria by functional exogenous mitochondria may attenuate intrahepatic excessive lipid and recover hepatocyte function. However, no data shows that mitochondria can be systemically administrated to animals to date. Here we suggest that mitochondria isolated from hepatoma cells are used as a mitotherapy agent to treat mouse fatty liver induced by high-fat diets. When the mitochondria were intravenously injected into the mice, serum aminotransferase activity and cholesterol level decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the mitotherapy reduced lipid accumulation and oxidation injury of the fatty liver mice, improved energy production, and consequently restored hepatocyte function. The mitotherapy strategy offers a new potential therapeutic approach for treating NAFLD.

Background and aim: The widely accepted range of upper limits of normal (ULN) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (ULN < 40 U/L) was recently challenged by several reports. Both ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are commonly used as surrogate markers of liver disease, but almost all studies of aminotransferase activity were conducted on ALT. We investigated not only ULN of ALT but also AST activity and to identify factors modulating them in healthy Korean. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 411,240 registered blood donors in all nationwide blood banks belonging to the Korean Red Cross were conducted. ULN of ALT and AST was evaluated adjusting their age according to the national population census database. "Decision tree model" was used to identify the affecting factors of ALT and AST and optimal cut-off points of affecting factors. Results: "ULN of ALT" was 34 U/L in men and 24 U/L in women and "ULN of AST" was 32 U/L in men and 26 U/L in women in the blood donor database. Decision tree analysis showed that ALT levels were mostly influenced by body mass index level and its critical two cut-off points were 23.5 kg/m2 and 25.8 kg/m2 , respectively. The most affecting factor of AST was gender. Conclusion: Upper limits of normal of ALT and AST in Koreans were lower than conventional accepted values (< 40 U/L) but higher than recently suggested values (male < 30 U/L and female < 19 U/L). Body mass index was the most determining factor for ALT and gender was the most influencing factor for AST activity.

Background: Hypothyroidism is associated with many biochemical abnormalities including increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Very few studies have been done regarding serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hypothyroid patients and, as far we know, no such study has been done in our populations. So, we designed this study in our population for evaluation of serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hypothyroid patients. The objective of this study was to assess serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hypothyroid patients and to find out relationship of alanine aminotransferase activity with severity of hypothyroidism. Methods: It was a retrospective cross sectional study to evaluate the serum alanine aminotransferase activity of hypothyroid patients and to find out relationship of alanine aminotransferase activity with severity of hypothyroidism and the values were compared with that of age and sex matched healthy euthyroid controls. Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS for Windows version 12.0. Unpaired ‘t’ test was done to find out any significant difference between the cases and controls with respect to age and serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Chisquare test was done to find out any significant difference between the cases and controls with respect to sex. Pearson correlation coefficient test was done to see the correlation of alanine aminotransferase activity with the severity of hypothyroidism. Results: Mean serum alanine aminotransferase activity was found significantly higher in hypothyroid patients compared to that of controls. Conclusion: Results of our study suggest that increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity is associated with hypothyroidism. Therefore, patients presenting with increased ALT activity with normal liver function tests are recommended to be investigated to explore hypothyroidism. Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College Journal Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2013: 49-51

A consecutive study of 160 patients with very high (>500 U/1) serum ASAT activity has revealed that this was most commonly due to acute hepatitis, circulatory disturbances, or malignant liver disease. In acute hepatitis the ASAT increase was usually accompanied by a similar rise in ALAT. An ASAT/ALAT ratio > 3 was almost entirely restricted to patients with circulatory disturbances or malignant liver disease. The latter diagnosis should thus be suspected in patients with markedly increased serum aminotransferase activity and an ASAT/ALAT ratio > 3 without evidence of circulatory disturbances.

We investigated the apo-enzyme content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in clinically normal and ill canine, feline, equine and bovine patients. Aminotransferase activity was measured with and without the addition of exogenous pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P5P). The amount of apo-enzyme was expressed as the percentage change in aminotransferase activity with the inclusion of P5P. The results of aminotransferase assays without P5P (holo-enzyme activity) were highly correlated to the results obtained with P5P (total enzyme activity) in all four species (Spearman rank correlations > 0.980). The median apo-aminotransferase percentage in clinically normal patients was: 11% ALT and 0% AST in 115 dogs, 7% ALT and -5% AST in 50 cats, 6% AST in 46 horses and 9% AST in 50 cattle. The amount of apo-enzyme did not increase as holo-enzyme activity increased in any of the species. The apo-aminotransferase content was not significantly different in canine, feline and equine patients with diseases affecting the liver, kidney or musculature compared to clinically normal animals. The apo-enzyme content did not differ significantly between specific liver diseases in canine and feline patients.

Summary Background Recently, many studies reported that high carbohydrate and simple sugar intake increase a risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome significantly. Aim To investigate the effect of carbohydrate on aminotransferase levels in Korea, where the proportion of carbohydrate in meals is extremely high but fat is low. Methods We used the data of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). A total of 19 749 people were included. Amounts and types of consumed foods were examined by the 24 h recall method. Results Mean carbohydrate and fat proportions in total energy intake were 67.7% and 17.4%, respectively. Aminotransferase activity increased according to the rise of the proportion of carbohydrate in the energy intake. A high carbohydrate intake (>70% of energy) was associated with abnormal aminotransferase activity and metabolic syndrome. After adjusting for covariates, such as age, energy intake and body mass index, abnormal aminotransferase activity was significantly associated with carbohydrate proportion. There was a negative correlation between fat proportion in the total energy intake and aminotransferase activity (P

The activity of gamma-aminobutyrate aminotransferase (GABA-T) was estimated in twelve regions of brains from 22 control subjects and 6 cases with schizophrenia. In the controls, no significant correlation was found between the enzyme activity and age or postmortem interval (PMI) in any of the brain regions studied. In experiments on rat brains, the enzyme activity decreased about 20% during the first 2 hours of storage at room temperature and at 4 degrees C but remained steady thereafter. A similar initial decline in activity in the human brain material cannot be excluded. In the human brains, a slightly lower activity was found in the group below 75 years (n = 8) when compared with the group above 75 years (n = 8). A tendency to higher activities was found in female brains (n = 10) compared with male brains (n = 12). No significant difference in the enzyme activity was found between schizophrenic brains, in any of the regions studied, when compared to controls, matched for age, sex and PMI.

Serum aminotransferase [such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] is commonly used as an indicator of liver disease. The aim of the study was to determine the degree to which aminotransferase results are associated with increased mortality at the population level. All adult residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had a health care encounter at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, in 1995 were identified and their AST or ALT results extracted from a laboratory database. These subjects were followed forward from January 1995 to April 2006 and their survival determined. To exclude patients with abnormal results because of a terminal illness, deaths within the first 2 years were excluded. The main outcome measure was survival. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated, based on Minnesota White death rates. During 1995, AST was measured at least once in 18,401 community residents, of whom 2,350 (13%) had results greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN). Of 6,823 subjects who had their ALT measured, 911 (13%) had results higher than ULN. Abnormal AST was associated with a significantly increased SMR (1.32 for 1–2× ULN and 1.78 for >2× ULN). SMR was also higher for abnormal ALT (SMR = 1.21 for 1–2× ULN and 1.51 for >2× ULN). In contrast, normal AST or ALT was associated with a risk of death lower than expected (SMR 0.95 for AST, 0.61 for ALT). Conclusion: Serum levels of AST and ALT obtained in a routine medical care setting are associated with future mortality in community residents. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;47:880–887.)

An attempt was made to evaluate whether in chicken the activity of plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase changes after 32P administration, and whether it helps in the diagnosis of morphological or functional liver damage caused by ionizing radiation before the appearance of clinical simptoms of radiation sickness. Fifty day old hybrid chickens of heavy Jata provenience of both sexes were treated by 32P administred i.m. as disodium hydrogen phosphate in a single dose of 333 MBq per kilogram of body weight. Blood samples were taken from the wing vein on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 after administration of 32P. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were determined spectrophotometrically using optimized kits produced by Boehringer Mannheim GmbH. The obtained results have shown that aspartate aminotransferase activity increased on the 3rd and 5th day and it decreased on the 7th and 10th day of the experiment. A statistically significant difference was recorded on the 3rd day of the experiment. Alanine aminotransferase activity increased during the first five days of the experiment, and on the 7th day it decreased. On the 10th day of the experimet the activity of alanine aminotransferase in the blood plasma of 32P treated birds was not detectable ; a statistically significant difference was recorded on the5th day only. The obtained results indicate that the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase may serve as an indicator of functional and/or morphological liver damage in chickens caused by ionizing radiation before the appearance of clinical symptoms of radiation sickness.

Aminotransferase activities were measured in the serum of two- to three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies and colts during a four week period of peak training for flat racing. Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, EC 2.6.1.1), mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (m-AspAT) and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT, EC 2.6.1.2) activities in serum were measured and the relative proportions of apoenzyme and holoenzyme were determined. The aminotransferase activities were increased only slightly immediately following exercise. This small and immediate post exercise increase in activity did not vary greatly over the period of peak training. Measured in the presence of exogenous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, mean enzyme activities (iu/litre at 30 degrees C) before exercise were: AspAT, 291; m-AspAT, 13; AlaAT, 18. After exercise they were: AspAT, 317; m-AspAT, 16; AlaAT, 23. Nearly all of the AspAT activity was present in the holoenzyme form (94 per cent holoenzyme) indicating excellent vitamin B6 status in these animals. Paradoxically, the AlaAT in serum from the same highly trained Thoroughbred horses was poorly saturated with pyridoxal phosphate, with nearly half of the AlaAT in most horses present in the inactive apoenzyme form (61 per cent that of holoenzyme). It is critical therefore, that exogenous pyridoxal phosphate be included in aminotransferase assays to determine the amounts of enzyme release into the peripheral circulation.

Summary Associations of body condition scores and blood metabolites, measured before calving and at different periods during early lactation, with recurrence of luteal activity were investigated in a 250-head commercial dairy farm during a 4-year period (1999–2002). The study was conducted on 48 dairy cows (60 lactations) with average 305-day milk yield of 8149 kg per cow. Blood samples taken 1–14 days before calving and 1–14, 28–42 and 63–77 days after calving were analysed for aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, ketone bodies, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol. Milk progesterone (P4) profiles (samples collected twice a week, P4 levels measured in whole milk by enzyme immunoassay) were used to evaluate the interval from calving to first luteal response, P4 >5 ng/ml, and the interval from calving to first normal cycle. The MIXED procedure of the sas system was used to study the association of investigated parameters. A higher concentration of ketone bodies before calving was associated with shorter interval to recurrence of first normal cycle (P = 0.007) and tended to be related to shorter interval from calving to first luteal response (P = 0.071). A lower prepartum aminotransferase activity showed a tendency to be associated with shorter interval from calving to first luteal response (P = 0.084). Results suggest metabolic status up to 2 weeks prepartum to be related to the resumption of postpartum luteal activity in Estonian Holstein dairy cows.

An elevation in liver enzymes and, most notably, high serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, has been correlated with metabolic syndrome and obesity. However, whether obesity per se or obesity-related co-morbidities affect aminotransferase activity is still unclear. In this study we sought to evaluate serum aminotransferase activity in morbid and uncomplicated obese subjectsIn this cross-sectional study, serum aminotransferase activity, anthropometric and metabolic parameters were assessed in 290 morbid and 105 uncomplicated consecutive obese subjects matched for body mass index (BMI) (40.1+/-6.8 vs. 39.9+/-8.3 kg/m(2), respectively), age (35.9+/-10 vs. 34.8+/-9.6 years, respectively), sex distribution and duration of obesity.Uncomplicated obese subjects showed significantly lower serum ALT activity (17.58+/-6.3 (range 10-39) vs. 23.43+/-16 (range 12-89) U/l, (p0.001)), and lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/ALT ratios and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gammaGT) (p0.01 for all) than morbid obese subjects. Only 11% women and 19% men in the uncomplicated obese group showed high ALT levels, while ALT activity was high in 48% women and 51% men in the morbid obese group. Fasting insulin was the best correlate of ALT activity (R(2)=0.21, p=0.003).Our findings show that elevated ALT and AST activity are associated with increased fasting insulin and not with obesity per se, suggesting that the presence of insulin resistance, rather than BMI alone, plays a role in mediating the increased aminotransferase activity.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major disorder in patients with persistent changes in aminotransferase activity who test negative for viral markers and autoantibodies. Although NASH has been correlated with obesity, no study has been carried out exclusively with nondiabetic obese patients.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the occurrence of NASH in obese patients without diabetes mellitus and to assess the severity of histological involvement of the liver.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum aminotransferase levels were evaluated in 912 obese patients seen at an outpatient clinic in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 1997 to 1999. Sixty-eight patients were found to have altered aminotransferase levels in more than one test. Thirty-five patients were excluded due to the presence of diabetes mellitus (n=12), the presence of viral markers (n=11), alcohol consumption (n=8) and the use of hepatotoxic drugs (n=4). NASH was diagnosed when histological findings revealed macrovesicular steatosis associated with lobular inflammatory infiltrate and hepatocellular injury.RESULTS: Of the 912 obese patients studied, 33 patients with altered aminotransferase levels underwent liver biopsy. Four patients were excluded because they had steatosis only; the remaining 29 patients (3.18%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria established for NASH. The mean age of the 29 patients was 42.2±11.9 years; 65.52% of the patients were women. Grading of histological findings revealed mild disease in 58.6% of cases; important proliferation of fibrous tissue was absent in most cases.CONCLUSIONS: NASH is a common disease among nondiabetic obese patients with altered aminotransferase levels, and it usually manifests as a mild clinical condition, although more severe lesions may be observed.

Hepatic adverse effects occur very rarely with alpha-interferon therapy. A case of acute hepatitis induced by alpha-interferon in a 33-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C is described. The patient developed acute hepatitis with very high aminotransferase activity and jaundice. After discontinuing alpha-interferon therapy, hepatitis resolved rapidly. The immune-mediated mechanism is the most probable cause of this hepatitis.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme normally confined to the cytoplasm of cells, but released to the extracellular environment upon cell death. Its levels are associated with the severity of experimental gingivitis and the loss of periodontal attachment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and activity levels of AST in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PCF) from healthy and diseased endosseous implants in order to assess if AST in PCF can be further studied as a possible objective diagnostic aid in oral implantology.Eighty-one fixtures from 81 systemically healthy subjects were divided into 3 groups, 27 healthy implants (HI), 27 implants with mucositis (MI) and 27 implants affected by peri-implantitis (PI) according to well-defined clinical and radiographic criteria. PCF was collected by the insertion of a #40 standardized endodontic paper point to the base of the crevice or pocket for 30 seconds. AST activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 25 degrees C. The results were expressed as AST Units/ml in PCF.An AST activity was detected in each sample from HI, MI and PI. The mean AST activity in HI was 0.26 +/- 0.16 U/ml; in MI, 0.38 +/- 0.27 U/ml; in PI, 0.62 +/- 0.29 U/ml. ANOVA showed that the difference among HI, MI, and PI was statistically significant at P0.01 level. Post-hoc tests demonstrated that a significant difference in AST activity existed between HI/PI (t = 5.14; P0.01) and MI/PI (t = 3.09; P0.01). No statistically significant difference was found between HI/MI (t = 1.07; P0.1) AST activity was significantly (P0.01) associated with probing depth (r = 0.55), the amount of bone loss (r = 0.60) and bleeding on probing (r = 0.67). When the threshold for a positive AST test was setor =0.4 U/ml, a sensitivity = 0.81 and a specificity = 0.74 were found in the detection of peri-implantitis; the positive predictive value was 61% and the negative predictive value was 88%.Within the limits of this study, our results may suggest that PCF analysis could be further investigated in longitudinal studies as a suitable diagnostic strategy in the evaluation of dental implants.

Five male children are reported in whom incidental recognition of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity initiated investigation to identify the cause of suspected hepatocellular injury. All five were later diagnosed with X chromosome-linked muscular dystrophy. The serum level of ALT, generally considered to be specific for hepatocellular injury, was increased two to 25 times above normal in all the reported cases. Paradoxically, the increase in ALT activity was greater than that of serum aspartate aminotransferase (three to 16 times normal), an enzyme whose elevation is generally recognized as being less specific and indicative of muscle, cardiac, kidney, pancreatic, red blood cell or hepatic injury. At presentation to the gastrointestinal service, one case, age 2.5 months, had no symptoms or signs of neuromuscular dysfunction, while the other four had previously unrecognized hypertrophy of the calves, proximal limb weakness, positive Gower’s sign or delayed gross motor skills. All five patients had marked elevation of serum creatine kinase activity and histopathologically confirmed muscular dystrophy. The practical clinical implication of this report is that children with elevated serum ALT, in the absence of other signs and symptoms of hepatic injury, may have occult muscular disease - most frequently muscular dystrophy. Although the clinical signs of muscular dystrophy may be subtle or absent, early determination of creatine kinase will suggest the correct diagnosis and minimize extensive and invasive investigation focusing on hepatic injury.

Six children in whom long-standing hypertransaminasemia of unknown cause led to an initial diagnosis of chronic or protracted cryptogenic hepatitis were found to have asymptomatic celiac disease. Administration of a gluten-free diet caused a prompt improvement of both hepatic and intestinal biochemical/histologic abnormalities. Hepatic damage may be another "atypical" form of celiac disease in children.

Administration of cortisol to rats enhanced brain tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity by a mechanism excluding stabilization, but possibly involving enhanced synthesis, of the enzyme.

Four groups of Mugil capito were fed diets with protein and carbohydrate contents changing reciprocally for 121 days. Food consumption changed proportionally to the carbohydrate content of the diet, while final fish growth was similar for all groups of fish. Liver transaminase levels changed significantly with the protein content of the diet. The changes in body transaminase levels were lower in magnitude. The results obtained are compared to those obtained from other fish species and possible reasons for the differences observed are discussed.

Relationships between the Quality of Dietary Proteins and the Functional State of the Adrenal Cortex. (5) Content of Corticosterone and Cortisol in the Liver and in the Mucosa of the Small Intestine of Rats Fed Proteins of Varying Quality (Estimation of the Binding Capacity for Corticosteroids). Growing male Wistar rats were used to investigate in which way the quality of dietary proteins (maize gluten and maize gluten supplemented with amino acids) influenced the content of corticosteroids in the liver and in the mucosa of the small intestine of untreated rats (N), adrenalectomized animals (AE) and animals treated with corticosteroids (N + S). In AE animals the content of corticosteroids in the tissues was very low. In N + S animals of both dietary groups the mucosa of the small intestine contained more corticosteroids than the liver; the content of corticosteroids in the mucosa, however, was also found to vary in dependence upon the diet fed. The mucosa of N + S animals receiving dietary proteins of high quality contained more corticosteroids; this indicates a higher binding capacity of the mucosa for corticosteroids.

o 1. 1. An injection of 20 μg/1 kg body wt of adrenaline, acetylcholine and histamine decreased AspAT and AlAT aminotransferase activity in blood plasma serum of 1 to 3-day-old Leghorn chicks. 2. 2. All hormones injected caused an increase in the activity of cholinesterase 1 min after injection.

1. 1. Aspartate aminotransferase activity in the white muscle of rainbow trout dropped significantly after the animals had received a pyridoxine-deficient diet for 7 days. 2. 2. Alanine aminotransferase activity in the white muscle of rainbow trout dropped significantly after the animals had been fed on a pyridoxine-deficient diet for 21 days. 3. 3. Alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the liver of rainbow trout did not drop significantly until the animals had received a pyridoxine-deficient diet for 28 days. 4. 4. After rainbow trout have received a pyridoxine-deficient diet for 35 days, feeding with complete diet for 7 days is sufficient to restore the aminotransferase activities to the levels observed in control animals.

Gyrate atrophy of the retina is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by a specific progressive retinal degeneration and increased urine and plasma ornithine. This study demonstrates a deficiency of L-ornithine: 2-oxoacid aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.13) activity in cultured fibroblasts from a patient with this disease.

Repeated doses of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide prevented the increases in rat liver mitochondrial and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase, in alanine aminotransferase and in protein content observed 24 h after a single carbon tetrachloride injection. Serum aminotransferase activity increases induced by carbon tetrachloride were also decreased as much as 75.7% with cycloheximide. Increased synthesis is, therefore, suggested as an important and sometimes major source of increased serum aminotransferases in hepatocellular injury. This effect of cycloheximide lends support to the hypothesis that the liver enzyme increases after CC14 are probably due to increased synthesis, in addition to the classically held mechanisms of leakage from necrotic or damaged hepatocytes. This explanation of the mechanisms of release of aminotransferases in rat liver injury would clarify many clinical observations if the same phenomenon were to occur in humans in response to hepatic injury. These data suggest that increased serum aminotransferase activities represent a healing, in addition to a degenerative, process.

The activities of glutamate decarboxylase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-aminobutyrate aminotransferase were determined in the brains of C57B1/6J mice of selected biological ages (10, 24, 33, and 37 months old). The glutamate decarboxylase activity was the same in the 10 and 24 month mice, but was decreased in the 30 and 37 month mice. The aspartate aminotransferase activity was constant in the 10, 24, and 33 month old mice and was slightly decreased in the 37 month mice. The γ-aminobutyrate aminotransferase activity was the same in the brains of the 10 and 24 month old mice and was increased in the 33 month mice and even more in the 37 month mice. The steady state levels of aspartate, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyrate were determined in the brains of mice 10, 18, 29, and 36 months old. The concentration of aspartate was the same in the 10, 18, and 29 month mice and was increased in the 36 month mice. The mice in all the age groups had the same brain concentration of glutamate. γ-Aminobutyrate concentration decreased somewhat with age. The weights of the brains did not vary with age from 10 to 33 months. The wet weights of the brains of the 36 and 37 month mice were lower than those of all the other age groups. The amount of protein per gram of wet weight of brain did not vary with age.

The effect of l-thyroxine on histidine metabolism in rat liver has been investigated. Daily intraperitoneal injections of 0.25 mg l-thyroxine for 10 dyas to male Wistar rats of 230 g body weight caused the following changes in the total activity of liver enzymes: histidine ammonia-lyase activity dropped from 21.5 to 27.8 units, urocanase dropped from 358.1 to 136.2 units, but histidine-pyruvate aminotransferase activity rose from 115.5 to 232.5 units. These results are all significant at the level of P < 0.001, and show that high doses of thyroxine enhance the transamination pathway of histidine metabolism.

SummaryFour hr following laparotomy stress to the intact rat the activity of liver tyrosine aminotransferase is increased two to threefold. Simultaneous removal of the adrenal prevents the increase. A marked repression of aminotransferase activity follows imposition of the same stress to rats adrenalectomized 1 week earlier. Hyperphysectomy eliminates some, but not all, of this laparotomy-induced repression in 1 week adrenalectomized rats.

L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutamate aminotransferase (Transaminase) activity was determined in 4 tympanitic and 4 normal bovine. Two tympanitic and 2 normal bovine were fed control diets while 2 normal and 2 tympanitic bovine received the same ration plus 900 mg. per day of 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (Tapazole). Transaminase activity was 34 and 38 mU for the normal bovine on the standard ration and the normals on the standard ration plus Tapazole, respectively. The activity was 40 and 46 mU for the tympanitic bovine on the standard ration and on the standard ration plus Tapazole, respectively. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Enzyme activity in the livers of mice was studied in examining the metabolic disturbances of diabetes. Spontaneously non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, mice with alloxan-induced diabetes (Allo), and control ICR mice were used. As NOD mice undergo a spontaneous pathogenic process over time, younger and older NOD mice were compared (non-diabetic and diabetic) as were control ICR mice. Two liver enzymes became more active with age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). AST activity increased more in the hyperglycemic mice, i.e., the diabetic NOD and the Allo mice, than in the normoglycemic group, i.e., the ICR and non-diabetic NOD mice. Abnormally high AST activity was seen in the cytosolic fraction of the liver but not in the mitochondrial fraction. The changes in enzyme activity in diabetic mice were independent of any age-associated changes. The higher AST levels in diabetic mice are thought to be consistent with their greater need for gluconeogenic substrate. AST showed a more notably higher increase than did ALT in this study, and lactate dehydrogenase showed no significant changes.

The authors report the cases of 2 adults who became jaundiced during prolonged administration of clometacin, a new analgesic drug. Jaundice and serum aminotransferase activity progressively increased while the drug administration was continued but quickly decreased when it was eventually interrupted. 1 patient resumed the intake of clometacin and died with jaundice and ascites. In both patients, liver lesions were those of severe chronic active hepatitis with numerous giant multinucleated hepatocytes.

A new case of alpha-aminoadipic aciduria had an apparent immunodeficiency and died at the age of 4 months. The urine contained large amounts of alpha-aminoadipate and smaller quantities of alpha-keto- and alpha-hydroxyadipate. Post mortem, the highest concentrations of alpha-aminoadipate were found in liver and kidney. Enzymatic studies on liver and cultured fibroblasts failed to demonstrate the expected deficiency of alpha-amino-adipate aminotransferase, a result perhaps explicable by the presence of cytoplasmic aminotransferase activity.

The development of L-tyrosine : 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase in newborn rats is suppressed by actidione (cycloheximide), an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis, administered immediately after birth.