ALAT (GPT) FS (IFCC mod.)

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT/ALT), formerly called Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT/AST), formerly called Glutamic Oxalacetic Transaminase (GOT) are the most important representatives of a group of enzymes, the aminotransferases or transaminases, which catalyze the conversion of ?-keto acids into amino acids by transfer of amino groups. As a liver-specific enzyme, ALAT is only significantly elevated in hepatobiliary diseases. Increased ASAT levels, however, can occur in connection with damages of heart or skeletal muscle as well as of liver parenchyma. Parallel measurement of ALAT and ASAT is, therefore, applied to distinguish liver from heart or skeletal muscle damages. The ASAT/ALAT ratio is used for differential diagnosis in liver diseases. While ratios < 1 indicate mild liver damage, ratios > 1 are