Decreased Aspartate Aminotransferase ("SGOT") Activity in Serum of Uremic Patients

Abstract

Abstract Aspartate aminotransferase activity in the serum of uremic patients and of normal individuals was analyzed by three different methods: (a) a manual ultraviolet method, (b) a manual colorimetric method, and (c) by continuous flow (SMA 12/60 AutoAnalyzer; Technicon). Both dialyzed and undialyzed uremic patients exhibit low values for serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, regardless of the method used. The SMA 12/60 procedure exaggerates this decrease because of ultraviolet-absorbing materials in uremic serum. The activity of this enzyme did not exceed normal values in one uremic patient after a myocardial infarction and recurrent severe cardiac episodes. Such results suggest that this procedure should be used with great care as an index for diagnosing myocardial infarctions (and perhaps hepatitis) in uremic patients.