The Relationship Between Plasma Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity and the Damage in Animals

Abstract

In order to establish the relationship between plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and liver damage, the AST activity was determined in plasma from rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4); the results were compared with AST activity in plasma from normal cattle and cattle with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and East Coast Fever (ECF). In the rats a marked increase in plasma AST activity was well correlated with acute liver damage. The increase in AST activity in plasma from cattle with LSD and ECF implied leakage of the enzyme from damaged tissues other than the liver. It was concluded that measurement of plasma AST activity may serve as a test to evaluate the health status of animals in general