Aspartate AminoTransferase (AST/SGOT )
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Aspartate transaminase; non-specific enzyme elevated in liver, cardiac, or muscle injury.
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🧪 Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST/SGOT)
Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
Full Name | Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), also known as Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) |
Sample Type | Blood (serum or plasma) |
Fasting Required | ❌ Not required, but some labs may prefer 8–10 hours fasting for panels |
Test Category | Liver Function Test (LFT) |
🔬 What Is AST/SGOT?
AST (SGOT) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, and lesser amounts in the kidneys and brain. It helps convert aspartate and α-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate — a key step in amino acid metabolism.
It is released into the bloodstream when cells of these organs are damaged or die, making it a marker of tissue injury, particularly liver and heart.
🧠 Organs Involved
Organ/System | Role |
|---|---|
Liver | Primary source of AST in liver injury |
Heart | Elevated after heart attacks or myocarditis |
Muscles | Elevated in muscular injury (trauma, rhabdomyolysis) |
Kidney & Brain | Minor contributors |
🎯 Why Is It Done?
Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|
🧪 Detect liver damage | Hepatitis, fatty liver, alcoholic liver disease |
❤️ Evaluate heart damage | Myocardial infarction (rarely used now) |
💪 Assess muscle injury | Trauma, strenuous exercise, polymyositis |
🔁 Monitor chronic liver conditions | Cirrhosis, hepatitis B/C, NAFLD |
⚠️ Part of preoperative or routine health check | LFT panels |
📊 Reference Range
- Normal Range: 10 to 40 U/L (units per liter)
Exact values may vary slightly by lab and gender.
📈 Elevated AST/SGOT – Causes
Category | Conditions |
|---|---|
🏥 Liver Disorders | Hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, fatty liver |
❤️ Cardiac Events | Myocardial infarction (MI), myocarditis |
💪 Muscle Injury | Muscle trauma, rhabdomyolysis, muscular dystrophy |
🧪 Hemolysis or toxins | Drugs (statins, anti-TB meds), sepsis, hemolytic anemia |
💡 AST is not liver-specific — it must be interpreted with other tests like ALT, ALP, GGT, and clinical context.
🔄 AST:ALT Ratio
Ratio | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|
>2:1 | Suggests alcoholic liver disease |
<1 | Seen in viral hepatitis, NAFLD |
>1 with high ALT | Suggests advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis |
🔬 Related/Recommended Tests
Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
ALT (SGPT) | More liver-specific than AST |
ALP, GGT | Help detect bile duct or alcohol-related liver damage |
Bilirubin | Evaluate jaundice or hemolysis |
CK (Creatine Kinase) | Muscle injury marker |
Troponin, CK-MB | Cardiac enzymes for MI if heart involvement is suspected |
📌 Summary Table
Test | Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST/SGOT) |
|---|---|
Sample | Blood (serum/plasma) |
Fasting Required | ❌ Not typically |
Associated Organs | Liver, heart, muscle |
Common Uses | Liver and heart injury detection |
Normal Range | 10–40 U/L |
Elevated In | Hepatitis, MI, muscle injury, cirrhosis |
Interpreted With | ALT, AST/ALT ratio, ALP, GGT, CK, clinical symptoms |
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