SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase)—Its Role (A Review Article)

Abstract

Aspartate transaminase (AST) is an important liver enzyme which catalyses reversible transfer of an alpha amino group between aspartate and glutamate. It has an important role in amino acid metabolism. AST is predominantly found in the liver, skeletal muscle, kidneys, brain and red blood cells. AST is measured as a part of diagnostic liver function test, but AST reflects pathology in organs other than liver. Elevation in AST is found in cases of liver damage which includes yellowing skin, tiredness, weakness, swollen belly, stomach pain, appetite loss etc. AST or serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) level increase significantly in type 2 diabetes mellitus when compared to healthy controls. In fatigue or tiredness, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis there was significant increase in AST/SGOT while on the other hand, SGOT was also found elevated in toxic hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis, acute myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, pulmonary emboli, acute pancreatitis, crushed muscular injury, gangrene and haemolytic disease while on the other hand there is mild to moderate increase in SGOT in cases of obesity. Therefore, it can be said that this diagnostic test should be done at regular interval as it is involved in the day to day activity to maintain healthy living.

Keywords: serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), liver diseases, diabetes, tiredness, burn

Cite this Article

Priyanka Verma. SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase)—Its Role (A Review Article). Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacology. 2019; 9(3): 1–5p.