Enzymes

Question 1

ALT

Answer 1

Alanine Transaminase or Alanine Aminotransferase

Cytoplasmic enzyme (leakage)

Hepatocyte specific

Primary used in dogs and cats

Half life = 2-3 days

Question 2

AST

Answer 2

Aspartate Transaminase or Aspartate Aminotransferase

Cytoplasmic and Mitochondrial Enzyme (Leakage)

Hepatocytes and Skeletal Muscle

Marker for hepatocyte damage in equine and cattle

Half life = 7-8 days (horse), <1 day (dog)

Question 3

LD or LDH

Answer 3

Lactate Dehydrogenase

Cytoplasmic Enzyme (leakage)

Hepatocytes and Skeletal muscle

Half life = <6 hrs (short)

Poor tissue specificity

Question 4

SDH

Answer 4

Sorbital Dehydrogenase, or Iditol Dehydrogenase

Cytoplasmic Enzyme (leakage)

Hepatocyte

Half life = 4 hrs (dog)

Relatively unstable enzyme, most diagnostic labs do not run a test for this enzyme

Primary used in cattle and equine

Question 5

GMD or GDH or GLDH

Answer 5

Glutamate Dehydrogenase

Mitochondrial Enzyme (leakage for irreversible damage)

Hepatocytes

Half life = 14 hrs in cattle

Relatively good in exotic species