Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.3.1.109 (AST)
 6,066 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

There is no one test of liver function. Routine laboratory tests that are useful in screening for liver disease and following its course include serum AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, protein electrophoresis, prothrombin time, and bilirubin levels. The transaminase levels give a day-by-day account of the amount of hepatocellular injury and death that occurs. Alkaline phosphatase levels estimate the amount of impedance of bile flow. The prothrombin time and serum albumin level are excellent gauges of hepatic protein synthetic ability, whereas the bilirubin level is probably the best test of overall liver function. Many tests are now available that permit one to diagnose specific diseases of the liver.
 ...
PMID:Evaluation of tests used to screen patients with liver disorders. 888 44

Liver fibrosis was induced by chronically (7 weeks) administering CCl4 to rats. Animals were divided into four groups: (a) controls, (b) treated with CCl4 alone, (c) treated with CCl4 and colchicine and (d) treated with CCl4 and formyl-colchicine bound to lactosaminated serum albumin (FC-LASA). Liver dysfunction was monitored by biochemical tests (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], gamma-glutamyltransferase [gamma GT], aspartate and alanine transaminases [AST and ALT], albumin and total bilirubin). Fibrosis was evaluated by determining hydroxyproline and by microscopic examination. The exposure to CCl4 produced major alterations of liver structure and collagen deposition. These effects were partially counteracted by colchicine and to a greater extent by FC-LASA. Morphological findings paralleled biochemical data. The information reported here indicates that colchicine has an antifibrotic activity on the liver of intoxicated rats and that FC-LASA is more active than colchicine itself as an antifibrotic agent.
 ...
PMID:Formylcolchicine bound to lactosaminated serum albumin is a more active antifibrotic agent than free colchicine. 889 3

A temporary elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase has been described in young children who have no evidence of liver or bone disease. This phenomenon has been termed benign hyperphosphatasemia of infancy. Its occurrence is described in three children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma. All three children were in remission and in the consolidation or maintenance phase of their therapy when the hyperphosphatasemia occurred. All children were also receiving methotrexate (IM and IV), oral 6-mercaptopurine, and oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Although these agents are associated with hepatotoxicity, other liver transaminases (ALT, AST) remained at normal concentrations, and there was an elevation only in the bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase, thus making hepatic toxicity an unlikely etiology for the hyperphosphatasemia. No alteration in chemotherapy was necessary for resolution of the elevated alkaline phosphatase in these children.
 ...
PMID:Benign transient hyperphosphatasemia in children with leukemia and lymphoma. 927 28

We report one case of urothelial carcinoma with diffuse intrasinusoidal metastasis to the liver and clinical presentation mimicking fulminant hepatic failure. The patient was a 69-year-old man admitted to the hospital for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Two years previously he had undergone a right nephrectomy for urothelial carcinoma (T2, GII). After five days of hospital admission, he developed progressive jaundice, ascites, deteriorating mental status with high serum enzyme activities (AST, ALT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase) and death 20 days after hospitalization. No grossly detectable hepatic metastatic nodules were demonstrated. A percutaneous postmortem liver biopsy revealed a diffuse infiltration of tumor cells into the hepatic sinusoids and venous invasion.
 ...
PMID:Acute liver failure due to diffuse intrasinusoidal metastases of urothelial carcinoma. 890 67

The measurement of monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX test) is considered a sensitive method for the evaluation of hepatic metabolic capacity. The multidrug chemotherapy CMF (cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, methotrexate 40 mg/ m2, 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m2) is widely used in breast cancer patients but very few clinical studies have investigated its possible liver toxicity. We have prospectively evaluated the possible acute liver toxicity after a cycle (i.e. two courses) of CMF by means of the measurement of standard liver function tests and of MEGX, i.e. the main lidocaine (Lid) metabolite after the i.v. injection of Lid. Consecutive patients (n = 15), aged 43-68 years, were radically operated on because of M0 primary breast cancer and candidates for adjuvant CMF because of nodal axillary involvement (pN1) were studied. Tests were performed before the first (given at day 1) and 48 h after the second course (given at day 8) of an i.v. CMF regimen to be repeated every 28 days. Full blood count, serum ALT, AST, gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase and albumin were measured with standard methods. To investigate the appearance of MEGX, blood samples were taken before, and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 60 min after i.v. Lid injection. MEGX serum concentration was measured by means of a fluorescent polarization immunoassay. We found no significant variation between pre- and post-CMF standard liver function tests with the exception of ALT levels, which, however, decreased (mean 48%, p < 0.05). The MEGX serum concentration was significantly increased over the sampling time period and the 42% mean rise was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Moreover, the post-CMF increase of circulating MEGX was steeper than the basal pre-CMF values. The slopes relating to the curves of MEGX formation over the first 20 min were 3.30 and 2.24, respectively (p < 0.001). In conclusion, no hepatic acute toxicity was observed during the CMF chemotherapy. Further studies are required to understand the meaning of the unexpected MEGX rise.
 ...
PMID:Liver function tests and lidocaine metabolism (MEGX test) during i.v. CMF therapy in breast cancer. 899 Nov 88

It was reported previously that selection for high (HG) or low (LG) plasma total cholesterol (TC) at 8 wk of age in a composite four-breed swine population resulted after four generations in divergent mean concentrations in the selected lines. The data revealed a significant positive correlation between body weight (BW) and TC concentration at 8 wk of age and differential responses in litter size, backfat depth, and carcass length at 6 mo of age. We report here the relationship between plasma TC concentration and other plasma traits related to growth and metabolism in the seventh generation of selection in these two lines of pigs. We measured plasma concentrations of TC, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), urea nitrogen (urea N), and three transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, ALT; aspartate aminotransferase, AST; gamma glutamyltransferase, GGT) in seventh-generation male and female pigs at 8 wk of age. Birth weight (1.48 vs 1.38 kg), 8 wk BW (14.85 vs 12.00 kg), TC (116.8 vs 63.6 mg/dL), HDL-C (43.9 vs 25.5 mg/dL), TG (50.5 vs 33.0 mg/dL), and ALP (78.3 vs 44.9 units/L) were higher (P < .01) in HG than in LG pigs, whereas ALB (3.2 vs 3.4 g/dL), ALT (43.0 vs 45.9 units/L), and AST (53.0 vs 62.2 units/L) were lower in HG than in LG pigs (P < .05). At 8 wk, overall plasma TC concentration was correlated with BW (r = .34, P < .01) and with ALP (r = .23, P < .05) but was not related to ALT, AST, or GGT. Plasma TP urea N, and GGT were unaffected by genetic line on sex. We conclude that the difference between HG and LG pigs in TC concentration in generation 4 at 8 wk of age has persisted but not broadened in pigs of generation 7, that changes in plasma ALP, ALT, and AST may have occurred in response to selection for high or low plasma TC, and that ALP is correlated with plasma TC concentration.
 ...
PMID:Divergent concentrations of plasma metabolites in swine selected for seven generations for high or low plasma total cholesterol. 905 52

A control survey was conducted to check the accuracy of automated analyzers used in the evaluation of clinical chemistry parameters in nonclinical toxicology studies. Pooled serum samples from male Sprague-Dawley rats were delivered refrigerated to each facility 98 laboratory facilities throughout Japan within 18 hours after sample preparation and analyzed. Commercially available normal human serum samples from a single lot were also analyzed at the same time. Survey results were divided into three categories. (1) Parameters with small coefficient of variation (CV) values for both rat and human serum samples included protein, glucose, cholesterol (CHO), urea nitrogen (UN), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), and inorganic phosphate (IP). Definition of normal values in rats should be straight forward for these parameters. (2) Parameters with large CV values, but with a relatively good correlation between rat and human values include triglycerides (TG), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase (GOT/AST), glutamic pyruvic transaminase/alanine aminotransferase (GPT/ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Measurements based on different principles gave different mean values, and this values contributed to the increase in CV values. Assessment of normal values would require a consideration of the measurement principles. (3) Parameters with large CV values only in rat serum samples included albumin (albumin/globulin ratio: A/G ratio), creatinine (CRE), and total bilirubin(BIL). Reactivity was different in rat albumin (ALB), depending on the reagents used. This difference needs to be corrected with values available by electrophoresis, or adjusted by rat ALB values, because of the lack of an appropriate measurement method. The enzyme method gave low values for rat CRE, which suggests the need for further examination of this method. The BIL values were extremely low in rat samples. It seems to be necessary to select appropriate methods to measure clinical pathology parameters correctly for rats. There was no deviation in values due solely to the mechanical operations of the analytical equipment. Non-standard initial settings of the equipment (equipment originally intended for human samples, but now applied to animal samples) was the main cause of the wide range of analytical values seen.
 ...
PMID:A survey of the values of clinical chemistry parameters obtained for a common rat blood sample in ninety-eight Japanese laboratories. 907 55

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a syndrome usually manifesting during the third trimester of pregnancy and disappearing after delivery. Multiple factors seem to be involved in pathogenesis of the syndrome; however, ICP appears to take place in women congenitally hypersensitive to estrogens. Typical is pruritus, which may be followed by jaundice and associated with other less common symptoms. The biochemical parameters are characteristically altered: an increase in the levels of aminotransferases (AST, ALT), total bile acids and alkaline phosphatase is observed; while serum GGT are normal. Maternal prognosis is benign. By contrast, a higher risk of acute fetal distress and prematurity has been reported. Various drugs are used in the treatment of ICP. We present the case of a patient treated with S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SaMe). SaMe therapy has proved to be effective in improving the altered biochemical parameters, whose normalization was obtained before delivery.
 ...
PMID:[Intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy]. 911 20

Various changes in renal function caused by unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in newborns have been suggested in previous reports. Disclosing an injury in renal tubulus epithelium is feasible by measurement of urinary enzymes. Thus, renal function tests and urinary enzymes in 25 terms newborns with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated before and after phototherapy. Ten healthy term newborns without hyperbilirubinemia formed the control group. Mean values of the variables obtained before and after phototherapy in the study group and in the controls were, respectively: urine osmolality (osm/kg H2O): 0.147 +/- 0.009, 0.174 +/- 0.011, and 0.153 +/- 0.018; endogenous creatinine clearance (mL/min per 1.73 m2): 45.7 +/- 2.15, 46.0 +/- 1.6 and 46.7 +/- 3.9; fractional excretion of sodium (%): 1.27 +/- 0.30, 0.79 +/- 0.19 and 1.24 +/- 0.07; tubular phosphorus reabsorption (%): 85.8 +/- 3.3, 87.8 +/- 2.8 and 86.6 +/- 1.7; urinary N-acetyl-beta-D glucosaminidase/creatinine (IU/mg): 0.617 +/- 0.226, 0.574 +/- 0.214 and 0.619 +/- 0.210; fractional excretion of alkaline phosphatase (%): 0.422 +/- 0.103, 1.001 +/- 0.374 and 0.596 +/- 0.201; fractional excretion of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH; %): 0.102 +/- 0.019, 0.121 +/- 0.023 and 0.119 +/- 0.041; fractional excretion of AST (%): 0.433 +/- 0.127, 0.530 +/- 0.113 and 0.502 +/- 0.074; fractional excretion of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; %) 0.856 +/- 0.413, 1.619 +/- 1.076 and 1.066 +/- 0.366. No significant difference was found between these values before and after phototherapy in the study group, or between the values before phototherapy in hyperbilirubinemic neonates and in the control group. In conclusion, unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia up to a serum level of 18.4 mg/dL in term neonates does not seem to result in injury of normal tubulus epithelium as shown by urinary enzyme levels.
 ...
PMID:Urinary enzyme changes in newborns with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. 914 Dec 54

Pruritus is a common symptom of chronic cholestatic liver diseases but is considered rare in chronic hepatitis. We observed pruritus to be an unusually common complaint in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C. We reviewed the records of 175 chronic hepatitis C patients to identify patients with severe, diffuse, unexplained pruritus; 12 consecutive prospective patients undergoing liver biopsy for chronic hepatitis C served as controls. Assessment included laboratory biochemical tests and assessment of liver pathology by stage, grade, hepatic activity index, and a bile duct score. Pruritus was present in nine (5.1%) patients. Serum AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, GGTP, total bilirubin, and ferritin were similar in pruritics and controls. Pruritics had higher serum bile acids (2028.4 +/- 223.1 mmol/liter vs 423.1 +/- 194.3, P < 0.001), higher transferrin saturation (57.5 +/- 6.8% vs 33.2 +/- 3.3, P < 0.01), and lower HCV RNA by bDNA (24.5 +/- 12.7 x 10(5) vs 172.7 +/- 54.1 x 10(5), P < 0.05). Pathology revealed cirrhosis in 6/9 (66.6%) pruritics vs 1/12 (8.3%) controls (P < 0.01). Pruritics had higher pathologic stage (3.7 +/- 0.2 vs 2.2 +/- 0.4, P < 0.01), grade (4.4 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.2, P < 0.001), activity index (14.3 +/- 1.9 vs 8.6 +/- 1.9, P < 0.025), and bile duct score (7.6 +/- 0.6 vs 4.7 +/- 0.4, P < 0.01). Of eight pruritics treated with IFN-alpha2b, two had complete ALT response and one relapsed. Pruritus followed a relapsing course and only three patients partially responded despite a variety of interventions. In conclusion, pruritus is a common complication of advanced CHC. Its presence is associated with high serum bile acids, advanced pathology and bile duct abnormalities. The clinical course of pruritus is relapsing and response to therapy is inconsistent. These features suggest that pruritus in CHC has a pathogenesis that may vary from that of chronic cholestatic diseases.
 ...
PMID:Pruritus in chronic hepatitis C: association with high serum bile acids, advanced pathology, and bile duct abnormalities. 914 69


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10