Alteration in aminotransferase levels in rats after acute hepatic injury

Measurement of serial aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)--formerly GOT and GPT--in both serum and urine, were carried out in rats with hepatocellular injury induced by ingestion of carbon tetrachloride. Contrary to the accepted clinical observations, the AST was initially higher than the serum ALT. Also, the clearance of AST from blood to urine was more rapid than that of ALT. This difference in enzyme excretion resulted in a more persistent elevation of ALT than of AST in the serum after hepatic injury. The persistent elevation of serum ALT correlates well with the timing of the clinical observation of higher ALT in patients with hepatitis.