Macroenzymes are serum enzymes that form high-molecular-mass complexes by association with immunoglobulins resulting in elevated serum activity. This is a well-known phenomenon for serum amylase and creatine kinase (CK), whereas aspartate aminotransferase (AST) macroenzymes are less frequent. AST is present in several organs with the highest concentration in the liver, making AST a sensitive indicator of liver damage. MacroAST may occur in asymptomatic patients. However, a recent review on abnormal liver enzyme in asymptomatic patients does not address this possibility. We report a case of isolated, asymptomatic AST increase, which was diagnosed as a macroenzyme only after 2 years of investigations.

Macroenzymes: too often overlooked

BRIANI, CHIARA;BURRA, PATRIZIA
2003

Abstract

Macroenzymes are serum enzymes that form high-molecular-mass complexes by association with immunoglobulins resulting in elevated serum activity. This is a well-known phenomenon for serum amylase and creatine kinase (CK), whereas aspartate aminotransferase (AST) macroenzymes are less frequent. AST is present in several organs with the highest concentration in the liver, making AST a sensitive indicator of liver damage. MacroAST may occur in asymptomatic patients. However, a recent review on abnormal liver enzyme in asymptomatic patients does not address this possibility. We report a case of isolated, asymptomatic AST increase, which was diagnosed as a macroenzyme only after 2 years of investigations.
2003
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/2464312
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