Alanine aminotransferase-old biomarker and new concept: a review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the clinical significance of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, its influencing factors, and updated normal ranges in various populations.
Results Summary
The study highlights that ALT activity is influenced by metabolic, demographic, and clinical factors, including viral hepatitis, alcohol, and medications. It also suggests extremely low ALT may indicate aging or frailty in older adults, warranting further investigation.
Population
General clinical populations, with considerations for ethnic variations and older adults.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
Viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and medication were noted as influencing factors.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
viral hepatitis | increase | ALT activity | - | - | influenced | #1 |
alcohol consumption | increase | ALT activity | - | - | influenced | #2 |
medication | increase | ALT activity | - | - | influenced | #3 |
metabolic abnormalities | increase | ALT variation | - | - | impact on | #4 |
metabolic and demographic factors | increase | ALT variation | - | - | interaction on | #5 |
process of aging | decrease | an extremely low ALT value | older adults | - | might reflect | #6 |
frailty | decrease | ALT value | older adults | - | has been raised as another clinically significant feature | #7 |
Measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a common, readily available, and inexpensive laboratory assay in clinical practice. ALT activity is not only measured to detect liver disease, but also to monitor overall health. ALT activity is influenced by various factors, including viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, and medication. Recently, the impact of metabolic abnormalities on ALT variation has raised concern due to the worldwide obesity epidemic. The normal ranges for ALT have been updated and validated considering the metabolic covariates in the various ethnic districts. The interaction between metabolic and demographic factors on ALT variation has also been discussed in previous studies. In addition, an extremely low ALT value might reflect the process of aging, and frailty in older adults has been raised as another clinically significant feature of this enzyme, to be followed with additional epidemiologic investigation. Timely updated, comprehensive, and systematic introduction of ALT activity is necessary to aid clinicians make better use of this enzyme.