Question

Which of the following is not a clinical condition associated with transaminases?

(a) Cardiac arrest

(b) Macroamylsemia

(c) Myocardial infarction

(d) Liver disease

The question was asked during an internship interview.

I'd like to ask this question from Clinical Significance of Amylase, Transaminase and Proteinases topic in chapter Clinical Enzymology of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Macroamylsemia

Easiest explanation: Macroamylsemia: results due to an increase in plasma amylase with a decrease in urinary excretion. The important transaminases are alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminases (AST). Following are the clinical conditions associated with transaminases:

a) Cardiac arrest: During cardiac arrest, the activities of transaminases (ALT and AST) are increased.

c) Myocardial infarction: Plasma AST levels increases following myocardial infarction. The activity is more at 6-8hrs after onset, reaches its peak between 24-48hrs and attains normal level by 4-6-days.

d) Liver disease: AST and ALT are sensitive markers of hepatocellular injury in which ALT is a more specific indicator. The values are higher when illness is maximum. In case of inflammation, ALT activities are higher than AST.