Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular moderate exercise
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Blutwerte · Marker
AST (GOT)
Aspartat-Aminotransferase · ASAT · GOT · SGOT
Leberwerte
- Einheit:
- IU/L
- Abbreviation
- AST / GOT
AST quantifies the enzyme activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the blood, reflecting liver and muscle cell integrity.
Reference Ranges
Reference
10–40IU/L
10
40
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · IU/LReference ranges may vary slightly based on age and sex. Consistent testing conditions are recommended.
Overview
Übersicht
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), also known as glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), is an enzyme that plays a critical role in amino acid metabolism. It catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group from aspartate to alpha-ketoglutarate, producing oxaloacetate and glutamate. This enzyme is found in various tissues, with high concentrations in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscles. Clinically, AST is an important biomarker for liver health. Elevated levels of AST are often indicative of liver damage or inflammation, as seen in conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver fibrosis. It can also be elevated in myocardial infarction and muscle disorders. For athletes and biohackers, monitoring AST can provide insights into muscle health and recovery, as intense exercise can temporarily increase AST levels. However, chronic elevation may suggest overtraining or underlying health issues. When interpreting AST levels, researchers observed that factors such as recent physical activity, alcohol consumption, and certain medications can influence results. Therefore, it is crucial to consider these confounders and ensure consistent testing conditions, such as fasting and time of day, to obtain reliable measurements.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated AST levels typically indicate liver damage or muscle injury. Low AST levels are generally not clinically significant but may occur in vitamin B6 deficiency.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising AST values suggest worsening liver or muscle damage. Re-test in 4 weeks if outside optimal range.
Falling Values
Falling AST values may indicate recovery from liver or muscle injury.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Liver disease
- Myocardial infarction
- Muscle injury
- Alcohol abuse
- Hepatitis
Cause
Low Levels
- Vitamin B6 deficiency
- Chronic kidney disease
- Pregnancy
- Severe malnutrition
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Increase intake of vitamin B6-rich foods
- Maintain a balanced diet
Lever
Supplementation
- Vitamin B6
- Milk thistle
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before making significant lifestyle or dietary changes, especially if AST levels are abnormal.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Testing Frequency
Annually for healthy adults, more frequently if monitoring liver health.
Interfering Factors
- Recent intense exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Certain medications
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that reference ranges for ASAT (GOT) may vary significantly across different populations and methodologies, leading to inconsistencies in clinical interpretation. Researchers have not yet established optimal targets for ASAT in specific liver diseases, particularly in chronic hepatitis B and GM1 gangliosidosis. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered regarding the influence of confounding factors, such as co-morbidities and concurrent medications, on ASAT levels and their diagnostic utility.
23 Research Publications
275
Total Citations
14
Human/RCT
1.8
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Use of enzymes for the diagnosis of alcohol-related organ damage.
ReviewInfluence3.0
88
Researchers discussed the variability of serum enzyme levels in diagnosing alcohol-related organ damage. They found that while elevated ASAT levels indicate potential liver injury, no single enzyme marker reliably distinguishes between alcohol-related and nonalcohol-related damage. The study emphasizes the need for test combinations to improve diagnostic accuracy.
02Top
#02
Sarcoidosis of the liver: to treat or not to treat?
HumanInfluence2.0
45
Researchers investigated the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on liver function in patients with hepatic sarcoidosis. They found that ASAT levels improved significantly in patients treated with UDCA compared to those receiving no treatment or corticosteroids. The study supports the potential use of UDCA in symptomatic patients with liver involvement.
03Top
#03
Incidence, laboratory detection and prognostic relevance of hypoxic hepatitis in cardiogenic shock.
HumanInfluence2.0
45
This study assessed the incidence of hypoxic hepatitis in patients with cardiogenic shock. Researchers found that elevated ASAT levels were a strong predictor of 30-day mortality, with patients experiencing hypoxic hepatitis having significantly higher mortality rates. ASAT was identified as the most reliable laboratory predictor of outcomes in this patient population.
04
#04
The Clinical and Molecular Spectrum of GM1 Gangliosidosis.
Human
23
Researchers evaluated clinical and biochemical data from patients with GM1 gangliosidosis. They found that increased ASAT levels were present in a majority of patients, indicating potential utility in screening for the disease. The study emphasizes the importance of considering GM1 gangliosidosis in patients with progressive neurodegeneration.
05
#05
A unifying reference system for clinical enzymology: aspartate aminotransferase and the International Clinical Enzyme Scale.
Review
17
Researchers reviewed methodologies for measuring aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and proposed a unifying reference system to improve interlaboratory compatibility. They emphasized the need for standardized enzyme reference materials and suggested the International Clinical Enzyme Scale to harmonize ASAT results across different laboratories. This approach aims to enhance the reliability of ASAT measurements.
06
#06
Leptospirosis in elderly patients.
HumanInfluence2.0
14
Researchers analyzed clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in elderly patients with leptospirosis. They found that elevated ASAT levels were indicative of hepatic dysfunction, and the disease was associated with a severe course and higher mortality risk. Prompt intensive treatment is crucial for managing leptospirosis in elderly patients.
07
#07
Enhanced cardiac enzyme profile.
ReviewInfluence1.0
13
Researchers proposed a protocol for an enhanced cardiac enzyme profile to improve the diagnosis of myocardial injury. They highlighted the utility of ASAT and the ASAT/ALAT ratio in assessing myocardial damage, particularly when initial enzyme levels decline. This protocol aims to streamline diagnostic processes in clinical settings.
08
#08
Comparison of cage and mast with the alcohol markers CDT, gamma-GT, ALAT, ASAT and MCV.
Human
12
Researchers compared self-reported alcohol consumption questionnaires with laboratory markers for alcohol dependence. They found that ASAT levels, along with other markers, had low sensitivity for diagnosing alcoholism, although they showed high specificity. This study suggests that while alcohol markers can support diagnosis, they may not be reliable screening tools in general hospitals.
09
#09
Capillary blood stability and analytical accuracy of 12 analytes stored in Microtainers®.
Human
8
Researchers assessed the stability of capillary blood samples for various analytes, including ASAT, stored in Microtainers. They found that ASAT results from capillary samples showed acceptable agreement with serum samples, suggesting that capillary blood could be a viable alternative for health screenings.
10
#10
Perfusate Biomarker Comparison During Renal Hypothermic and Normothermic Machine Perfusion: Do These Techniques Provide Similar Insights?
Hamelink Tim L, et al. · Transplantation · 2025
HumanInfluence1.0
4
Researchers compared biomarker release during hypothermic and normothermic machine perfusion in renal transplantation. They found moderate to strong correlations in ASAT levels between the two techniques, suggesting that both methods can provide valuable insights into kidney viability. However, the predictive value of these biomarkers remains uncertain.
Key findings
- 01Researchers found moderate to strong correlations in biomarker levels between HMP and NMP in human kidneys.
- 02Researchers observed clear differences in flow dynamics and biomarker levels between damaged and healthy kidneys in porcine models.
- 03Researchers noted that while some biomarkers can be assessed during HMP, the predictive value of these biomarkers remains uncertain.
Publication Trend
Research publications about AST (GOT) over time
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