| ALT:AST ratio | The ratio of serum alanine aminotransferase to serum aspartate aminotransferase; elevated serum levels of both enzymes characterise hepatic disease; when both levels are abnormally elevated and the ALT:AST ratio is greater than 1.0, severe hepatic necrosis or alcoholic hepatic disease is likely; when the ratio is less than 1.0, an acute non-alcoholic hepatic condition is favoured. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| AST | <enzyme> A liver enzyme that plays a role in protein metabolism, like ALT (see). Elevated serum levels of AST are a sign of liver damage from disease or drugs. Synonym: serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. (13 Jan 1998) |