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Aim:As obesity rates in children and adolescents increase, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease affecting this organ. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications as a method of improving liver function indexes in children with NAFLD.Materials and Methods:The study group consisted of 49 patients with NAFLD (35 boys and 14 girls), age range 3-16 years (mean 10.51±3.18 years). Anthropometric measurements were taken and laboratory tests were performed. Features of steatosis of the liver were evaluated by ultrasound. The mean follow-up period was 2.45±1.45 years. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to [Platelet (PLT) Ratio and Pediatric NAFLD Fibrosis Score (PNFS)] were calculated. The Mediterranean diet and physical exercises were recommended. End-point parameters were a decrease in the aminotransferase level and body weight.Results:In the study group, 35 children (71.43%) were obese, and 7 (14.29%) were overweight. In 22/49 cases (44.9%) body mass index (BMI) loss was achieved, in the other patients, BMI gain was noted. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed in 25/49 children. In the group of children with initial increased ALT levels, significant reduction of ALT, AST and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels were found with regard to baseline values. There was also a significant decline in mean AST to PLT Ratio index (APRI) level and PLT count. Moreover, a decrease in ALT level was negatively related to PNFS, APRI and GGT.Conclusion:Lifestyle modification leads to a significant decrease in aminotransferase levels, even in children who fail to achieve BMI reduction.

Background Using commutable external quality assessment (EQA) materials is important for monitoring successful harmonization efforts. We assessed the commutability of four human serum pool (HSP) preparations to identify candidate EQA materials for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity measurement. Methods One set each of 85 clinical samples (CSs) was collected for ALT and AST activity measurement. The 15 candidate EQA materials included four types of HSP preparations (A to D): materials A, C, and D contained human original recombinant (HOR) aminotransferases; materials B was mixed leftover samples. The CSs and 15 candidate EQA materials were analyzed using seven routine assays, and the ln-transformed results were analyzed in 21 assay pairs. Commutability was assessed using Deming regression, with a 95% prediction interval (CLSI approach) and the difference in bias with an error component model (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine [IFCC] approach). Results For ALT, all materials were commutable for 14-21 assay pairs according to the CLSI and IFCC approaches. For AST, B01-03 showed commutability for 14-21 assay pairs, and C01-03 and D01-03 showed commutability for no less than 10 assay pairs according to the two approaches. A01-06 were commutable for 9-16 assay pairs according to the CLSI approach, but for 6-9 assay pairs according to the IFCC approach. Conclusions Mixed leftover samples showed desirable commutability characteristics as candidate EQA materials for routine aminotransferase activity measurements. Human serum bases supplemented with HOR were commutable for most routine ALT activity measurements.

The safety issues of new and modified foods and food supplements are currently important both in Ukraine and abroad. The adsorption properties of starch make it possible to use it as a matrix for immobilization of microorganisms contained in ferments for fermented milk products. To optimize the adsorption properties, the starch, was modified. The further usage of modified starch requires mandatory toxicological studies. An important part of the system of such studies is the research of acute toxicity of modified starch. According to the approved methodological guidelines experiments on the detection of acute toxicity of modified starch were performed on linear white mice. The study had an indicative and detailed phase during which the animals were administered intragastrically 500-1000 mg and 3000-6000 mg of modified starch per kilogram of body weight. When the detailed phase was over after anesthesia and decapitation mice’s blood was tested for glucose level and liver was tested for protein metabolism (aminotransferase activity and total protein complement). Mice were treated in accordance with the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals. It has been proven the injection of 500 to 5,000 mg of modified starch per kg of body weight did not cause any ethological or physiological disturbance among the laboratory animals during the firat observation day. When dosed with 6000 mg of modified starch per kg body weight during the first 24 hours of the experiment, mice had digestive disfunction. Throughout the observation period (14 days) the experimental animals showed stable vital signs; mice actively responded to light, touch, noise, and vibration. During the two weeks of the experiment, the maximum dose of modified starch did not cause the death of laboratory animals.Based on the results of the experiment, it was found that the modified starch belongs to low-toxic compounds (class 4 according to GOST 12.1.007). DL 50 for modified starch in mice is greater than 6,000 mg/kg. Blood glucose level, aminotransferase activity and total protein complement in mice’s liver among the experimental animals were within the physiological standard.

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.

The article presents the results of testing the effect of a developed complex liposomal medicinal product on the dynamics of aminotransferase activity indices of the organisms of rats under conditions of designed oxidative stress induced by means of carbon tetrachloride application. It was demonstrated that intramuscular administration to rats from the tested groups of 50% tetrachloroethene at the dose of 0.25 ml to100 gof body weight causes antigen loading on the organism and increase in the cell membrane penetrability of hepatocytes and mitochondrial membranes. This was demonstrated by increase in activity of aminotransferase in the blood serum during the whole period of the experiment. On the second day of the test aspartate transaminase increased 2.5 times, alanine aminotransferase twice and the coefficient of AST/ALT by 30% in comparison with the control group. On the 14th day of the test the activity of these indices was higher compared to the indices in the control group, AST and ALT by 93% and 81% respectively, the coefficient index was higher and was equal to 2.89 ±0.05 incomparison to the index for the control (2.72 ± 0.04), that is 9% higher than the control indices. In order to normalize cell membrane penetrability of hepatocytes and mitochondrial membranes under conditions of oxidative stress, it is useful to apply a liposomal medicinal product containing butafosfan, interferon, cardus marianus and vitamins. The application of the liposomal medicinal product to rats under the experimental conditions of oxidative stress caused the normalization of enzyme activity of reamidation in the blood, namely normalization of AST and ALT activity in the blood serum. On the 14th day the indices of enzyme activity of aminotransferase in the blood of the tested rats fluctuated within the physiological values that demonstrate the normalization of cell membrane penetrability of hepatocytes and mitochondrial membranes under conditions of oxidative stress and the liposomal effect of the medicinal product.

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.

Polysaccharide complex extracted from tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) flowers is pectines type glucuronolactone. Its hepatoprotective activity was assessed on the model of acute toxic hepatitis caused by introduction of carbon tetrachloride 50% solution. It was found that the polysaccharide reduced the asparte aminotransferase activity, decreases the level of malondialdehyde, increases the amount of free SH-groups and glutathiontransferase activity in lysate of erythrocytes, i.e. polysaccharide complex has a pronounced hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties.

Purpose. To study the effect of the use of indirect (express-) method for the detection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus of trout by investigating aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in fish liver, as the most sensitive enzymes for the diagnostics of many pathological conditions of human and animal organisms associated with liver diseases. Methodology. The determination of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in trout liver was performed by Reitman-Frankel method. The functional status of liver was also evaluated using De Ritis coefficient (AST/ALT ratio), which serves as an integral index of the changes related to the degree of the damage of this organ. Findings. The determination of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in the liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) found out a considerable increase in the activity of these enzymes under the effect of the virus of infectious pancreatic necrosis. It is set that direction of aspartate aminotransferase reactions in the conditions of viral infection takes place mainly in the side of formation of keto-acids, providing the synthesis of glucose which is needed above all things for energetic supply of synthetic processes. The increase of activity of AsAT plays an important role in synchronization of energetic and nitrous exchange which is carried out at the level of mitochondrias. Increase of DeRitisa (DRr) coefficient in the conditions of our experiment characteristic for viral hepatitis and can specify on activating of synthesis of glucose which is needed for support of adequate level in the conditions of viral intoxication and determines the orientation of metabolic streams toward predominance of catabolytic reactions. According to the results of the performed tests, the most informative was the test of the determination of alanine aminotransferase activity. Originality. Evaluation of the effect of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus on aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in the liver of rainbow trout was performed for the first time. Practical value. Due to the simplicity of the implementation of the analysis of alanine aminotransferase activity, this method can become effective express-method for the diagnostics of trout infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in fish farms.

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.

BackgroundAcute liver diseases constitute a global concern. Medical treatments for these diseases have limited efficacy. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) cause hepatic failure in rodents. Glycyrrhizin (GL) was reported to treat increased serum aminotransferase activity in chroni

The production of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is still challenging, therefore we rationally engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum FA-1 to increase the l-leucine production by optimizing the aminotransferases. Based on this, we investigated the effects of the native aminotransferases, i.e., branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase (BCAT, encoded by ilvE) and aspartate aminotransferase (AspB, encoded by aspB) on l-leucine production in C. glutamicum. The strain FA-1△ilvE still exhibited significant growth without leucine addition, while FA-1△ilvE△aspB couldn&rsquo, t, which indicated that AspB also contributes to L-leucine synthesis in vivo and the yield of leucine reached 20.81 &plusmn, 0.02 g/L. It is the first time that AspB has been characterized for l-leucine synthesis activity. Subsequently, the aromatic aminotransferase TyrB and the putative aspartate aminotransferases, the aspC, yhdR, ywfG gene products, were cloned, expressed and characterized for leucine synthesis activity in FA-1△ilvE△aspB. Only TyrB was able to synthesize l-leucine and the l-leucine production was 18.55 &plusmn, 0.42 g/L. The two putative branched-chain aminotransferase genes, ybgE and CaIlvE, were also cloned and expressed. Both genes products function efficiently in BCAAs biosynthesis. This is the first report of a rational modification of aminotransferase activity that improves the l-leucine production through optimizing the aminotransferases.

Aminotransferases and glutamate dehydrogenase are two main types of enzymes involved in the initial steps of amino acid catabolism, which plays a key role in the cheese flavor development. In the present work, glutamate dehydrogenase and aminotransferase activities were screened in twenty one strains of lactic acid bacteria of dairy interest, either cheese-isolated or commercial starters, including fifteen mesophilic lactobacilli, four thermophilic lactobacilli, and two streptococci. The strains of Streptococcus thermophilus showed the highest glutamate dehydrogenase activity, which was significantly elevated compared with the lactobacilli. Aspartate aminotransferase prevailed in most strains tested, while the levels and specificity of other aminotransferases were highly strain- and species-dependent. The knowledge of enzymatic profiles of these starter and cheese-isolated cultures is helpful in proposing appropriate combinations of strains for improved or increased cheese flavor. Fil: Peralta, Guillermo Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Lactología Industrial. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Lactología Industrial; Argentina Fil: Bergamini, Carina Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Lactología Industrial. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Lactología Industrial; Argentina Fil: Hynes, Erica Rut. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Lactología Industrial. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería Química. Instituto de Lactología Industrial; Argentina

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

Infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are widespread in most countries. Vertical transmission of HCV has become quite frequent. This study presents the case of a female neonate infected in the womb. The mother had been exposed to infectious material, and developed asymptomatic acute hepatitis with high-maternal viral load, which was the primary cause of the infection in the neonate. At birth, the neonate developed hyperbilirubinemia, followed by an increased aminotransferase activity, resulting in liver insufficiency, and finally the neonate's death. In conclusion, it seems that maternal viral load is extremely significant when vertical transmission of the infection to the fetus is concerned.

To determine the effect of interferon-alpha2b (IFN-alpha2b) on the long-term suppression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in patients with persistently normal or near normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, 76 previously untreated patients with serum HCV RNA and ALT levels1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) were randomized to receive either interferon-alpha2b (IFN-alpha2b) 5 MU three times a week for 24 weeks (n = 37) or no treatment (n = 39). HCV RNA testing was performed at the end of treatment and after a 6-month follow-up period. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that HCV RNA was detected significantly less frequently in treated than in untreated patients, at the end of both treatment and follow-up (43.2% vs. 7.7%, p0.001, and 21.6% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.033, respectively). Among treated patients, sustained virologic response was significantly higher in non-1 than in genotype 1 patients (8 of 26 or 30.8% vs. 0 of 11, p = 0.038). According to multiple logistic regression, untreated patients had a 13.5 times greater risk to be HCV RNA-positive compared with treated patients (p = 0.040). ALT levels flared up in 3 treated and 9 untreated patients (p = 0.07), suggesting that these flare-ups are related to the natural course of chronic HCV infection rather than to IFN-alpha2b. Thus, such patients could benefit from an IFN-alpha2b in combination with ribavirin regimen.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) are key enzymes in protein biosynthesis, responsible for attaching amino acids to the 3ʹ-end of cognate tRNAs. The AARSs are modular proteins, with separate polyp...

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.

Background The serum activities of ALT and AST are key indicators of liver toxicity in the drug safety evaluation of laboratory animals and patients. To ensure that the full aminotransferase activity is measured, exogenous Pyridoxyl-5-Phosphate (P5P) cofactor is included in the assay reagent. Clinical pathology laboratories make a choice to use aminotransferase assays with or without the added P5P cofactor, and the impact of assay selection on safety assessment is not well understood. Objectives The objective of this report was to investigate the effect of aminotransferase assay selection on the detection of liver toxicity based on a literature review. Methods Literature in public databases was searched using combinations of the search terms alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, pyridoxyl-5-phosphate, holoenzyme, apoenzyme, enzyme inhibition, artifact, clinical pathology, toxicology, and safety assessment. Regulations or guidance documents published by health authorities specifying clinical pathology evaluation in nonclinical and clinical safety studies of biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, and devices were also reviewed. Results Aminotransferase testing is not standardized in safety assessment studies and consequently, laboratories use aminotransferase assays with or without P5P cofactor. Individual studies have demonstrated mean differences of approximately 10–20% in serum ALT activity in animal and human populations. The impact of aminotransferase testing without P5P on detection of toxicity and decision-making in drug development has not been systematically evaluated. Conclusions The use of different assays for measuring aminotransferase activity contributes to the variability in data between laboratories and studies. Standardizing aminotransferase assays is an avenue for improving the diagnostic performance in drug safety evaluation.

The Karmen assay (Karmen, A., 1955. J. Clin. Invest., 34: 131–133) of aminotransferase activity as modified by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (Bergmeyer, H.U., Horder, M and Rej, R., 1986. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem., 24: 497–510) appeared to be useful for semen analysis, after a few additional modifications. The assay system does not work for neat bull seminal plasma; however, enzyme activity can be measured correctly in diluted samples. In many cases, slight inhibition of enzyme activity was observed at 240 mM of l -aspartate. For this reason, a lower concentration of this substrate should be used. The higher sensitivity of this modified Karmen method offers more accurate measurement of aspartate aminotransferase activity in semen as compared with the methods employed previously.

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

Acute Toxicity of Justicia gendarussa Burm. Leaves. Preminelary experiment showed that ethanolic extract of gandarusa leaves (Justicia gendarussa Burm.) could decreased uric acid blood level on rats. The aim of this experiment was to determine of the value LD50 and liver function based on activities of aminotransferase. Animals test which were used in this experiment were 50 males and 50 females white mice. They were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 as control group was given aquadest. Group 2-5 were treated by ethanolic extract of gandarusa leaves with dosage 4, 8, 16, and 32 g/kg bw. The LD50 value was determined by the amount of death in group during 24 hours after giving a single dose of test substance. The result showed that the highest dose was practically non toxic with LD50 value of 31.99 g/kg bw (male groups) and 27.85 g/kg bw (female groups). Measurement of aminotransferase activity was done by using colorimetric method. The result of ANOVA analysis for liver function showed that the giving test substance 4 g/kg bw –16 g/kg bw was not significantly different between treated groups and control group.

A comparative evaluation has been carried out between the effects of surgical CO2-laser (lambda = 10.6 mcm) and lasers previously unused in medicine: Yag-erbium (lambda = 2.94 mcm) and YAG-erbium-in-glass lasers on biological tissue. The cutting properties of the lasers, nature of their effect on tissue and the period of healing of laser injury were studied morphologically. Effects of radiation on the energetic, biosynthetic and proliferative processes in the liver tissue, as well as the activity of transamination enzymes have been investigated. It has been shown that laser radiation of lambda = 1.54 and lambda = 2.94 mcm can destroy biological tissue with minimum inflammatory reaction as compared to CO2-laser. It has been ascertained that better marked changes in bioenergetics, aminotransferase activity, RNA and DNA contents are observed under the influence of CO2 and YAG-erbium lasers. Exposure of liver to YAG-erbium-in-glass laser radiation produced minimum changes in cells of the tissue contiguous to the injury. Thus, under its influence the majority of the investigated indices either changed insignificantly or improved. This might account for a positive effect of this laser on the dynamics and quality of the injury healing. The experimental studies gave basis for creation of working models of laser devices (lambda = 1.54 mcm) which are undergoing successful clinical trials at present.

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.

1. 1. Biochemical modifications in amino acid metabolism of planarians Dugesia tigrina (Girard) were studied as a function of regeneration. 2. 2. The activities of aminotransferases (TyrAT, AlaAT and AspAT) were measured in regenerating planarians at regular time intervals from the beginning of regeneration to the complete restoration of whole animals. 3. 3. All of the enzymatic activities were substantially altered during the regeneration period. Significant differences in terms of metabolic parameters were observed between cephalic and caudal segments.

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.)