Abstract
The activities of the mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (hereinafter referred as m-GOT) and the glutamate dehydrogenase (hereinafter referred as GLDH) in serum from patients suffered from liver diseases and from drug-induced liver damage animals were measured to evaluate the intensity of liver parenchymal damage.
In experimental liver damage in rabbits treated with DL-Ethionine, the serum m-GOT activity changed rapidly and its level reached maximum peak on the 3 rd day after injection and then decreased under normal level within 7 th day. And the fluctuation of GLDH levels showed also the same as m-GOT levels, but did not completely come back in normal range for a long period.
In clinical studies on human acute hepatitis, the levels of serum total GPT and total GOT decreased faster than the levels of m-GOT and GLDH. The latter two levels decreased rather slowly and returned about normal level in 8 th or 9 th week after onset.
According to observe very closely, inspite of m-GOT levels returned to almost normal level within 8-9 th week, GLDH did not return to normal level in that time, but continued slightly upper than the limit of normal range for a long time.
Then, I think that it is very important thing to measure the serum m-GOT immediately after onset of acute liver disease for evaluation of intensity of parenchymal damage and estimation of GLDH activity in serum has great significance to resolve the degree of liver damage in later stage.
