This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (48)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

A Review

Kenneth E. Sherman, MD, PhD

Arch Intern Med. 1991;151(2):260-265.

Abstract
Alanine aminotransferase is an enzyme produced mainly in the liver. When serum activity is measured, it provides a marker of hepatic disease. This review explores the biochemistry and laboratory analysis of alanine aminotransferase in terms of its significance in human health and disease. Cut-off levels that define abnormality are rather arbitrary and this decreases the specificity of the test in apparently healthy patients. A small, but important, group of patients with alanine aminotransferase abnormality have underlying liver disease that may be treatable. Most can be diagnosed based on history, physical examination, and biochemical-serological profiles. Liver biopsy can complement the diagnostic process in selected circumstances. Literature pertaining to this is critically reviewed.

(Arch Intern Med. 1991;151:260-265)

Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 20, 1990.

From the Gastroenterology Service, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colo.

The views stated in this article are those solely of the author and do not represent the opinion of the US Army or other government agencies.

Reprint requests to Gastroenterology Service, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, CO 80045 (Dr Sherman).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Abundance of Immunologically Active Alanine Aminotransferase in Sera of Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Kim et al.
Clin. Chem. 2009;55:1022-1025.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Effect of moderate alcohol consumption on liver enzymes increases with increasing body mass index
Alatalo et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2008;88:1097-1103.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Normal serum aminotransferase concentration and risk of mortality from liver diseases: prospective cohort study
Kim et al.
BMJ 2004;328:983.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Evaluation of the Cohort Size in Phase I Dose Escalation Trials Based on Laboratory Data
Buoen et al.
J Clin Pharmacol 2003;43:470-476.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Alanine Aminotransferase in Clinical Practice
Hodgson
Arch Intern Med 1992;152:208-208.
ABSTRACT  

Alanine Aminotransferase:: A Nonspecific Marker of Liver Disease
Mandell
Arch Intern Med 1992;152:209-213.
ABSTRACT