What is the significance of transaminase? Does an increase in level mean liver damage? What can be done to protect the liver?

A friend was worried about liver damage when taking medicine and asked Huazi what to do. Huazi said that liver function can be tested regularly, mainly looking at the transaminase index. Generally speaking, there is no big problem if it does not exceed 3 times the normal value. But the friend asked Huazi, there are two transaminase indicators, one is alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the other is aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which one is more important?

Hua Zi said that ALT and AST are both distributed in liver cells, and their biochemical significance is basically the same and equally important. Elevated levels of both mean liver damage. In addition to the levels of the two, the ratio between the two is also often used to diagnose and identify liver function.

1. The significance of ALT and AST Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of liver cells. When the disease causes liver cell degeneration and increased cell membrane permeability, ALT release increases. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is mainly present in the mitochondria of liver cells. When the disease causes severe liver cell damage or necrosis, AST release increases.

The levels of ALT and AST can reflect the degree of damage to liver cells, and the degree of damage is proportional to the index. However, in addition to liver diseases, diseases such as acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, heart failure, etc. can cause liver congestion, and diseases such as skeletal muscle disease, pancreatitis, pulmonary embolism, trauma, burns, shock, etc. can also cause elevated ALT and AST levels.

2. Common causes of elevated transaminase 1. Viral hepatitis: An infectious disease caused by hepatitis virus, which has different types such as A, B, C, D, and E. The infection rate of hepatitis B is very high in my country, and chronic hepatitis B is the main cause of elevated transaminase. In the active stage of hepatitis, ALT is usually greater than 300U/L, AST is greater than 200UL/L, and the ratio of AST to ALT is often less than 1.

It should be noted that for viral hepatitis, the level of transaminase cannot be used as an indicator to judge the severity of hepatitis. It is necessary to check the hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, hepatitis B e antigen, hepatitis B e antibody, hepatitis B core antibody and other indicators for comprehensive judgment.

2. Alcoholic liver disease: Alcohol metabolism mainly takes place in the liver, and the intermediate product of metabolism, acetaldehyde, is toxic and can cause great damage to the liver. Therefore, people who drink a lot of alcohol for a long time will have elevated transaminase levels. If the ratio of AST to ALT exceeds 2, it indicates that there may be alcoholic liver disease.

3. Fatty liver: Fatty liver refers to the fact that liver cells are occupied by fat due to excessive intake of calories. However, mild fatty liver generally does not affect liver function and transaminase does not increase. However, moderate or severe fatty liver may cause transaminase to increase, but generally only slightly, not exceeding 300U/L, and the ratio of AST to ALT is often less than 1.

4. Chemical liver damage: Using drugs or contacting toxic chemicals may cause liver damage. Liver damage caused by overdose of drugs or the use of homemade Chinese herbal medicine is more common. Contact with chemicals or the use of non-compliant cosmetics, hair dyes and other products may also cause liver damage and increase the levels of ALT and AST.

5. Other reasons: A variety of systemic diseases, such as severe infection or ischemic disease, may lead to elevated transaminase. Excessive fatigue, strenuous exercise, staying up late, etc., can also lead to physiological elevation of transaminase, but it will return to normal after adequate rest.

3. How to protect the liver The liver is the body's detoxification organ, dealing with a variety of toxic substances, so it is vulnerable to damage, but the liver also has a strong regenerative ability. As long as the factors that damage the liver are eliminated, it can repair itself, so the key to protecting the liver is to "nourish" it.

Pay attention to prevent infection with hepatitis virus. If you don't have antibodies, it is recommended to get vaccinated. Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol. For habitual drinkers, the daily alcohol intake should not exceed 25 grams. Control your weight, exercise regularly, and avoid fatty liver.

Do not abuse drugs or folk remedies. Follow the doctor's instructions and instructions when taking drugs. Check liver function regularly. If abnormalities are found, consult a doctor in time. When taking drugs normally, as long as the transaminase does not exceed 3 times the normal upper limit, there is no big problem. Most people will return to normal after stopping the drug.

To sum up, transaminase ALT and AST are equally important. Elevation of both means liver damage and abnormal liver function. Different situations cause different degrees of elevation of both. The detection values ​​and ratios can be used as a reference for diagnosing diseases. We should pay attention to staying away from factors that damage the liver, so that we can protect our liver well. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.