Which two enzymes are primarily increased in necrotic liver disease?

Which two enzymes are primarily increased in necrotic liver disease?

• A. Alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase
• B. Alanine aminotransferase and alcohol dehydrogenase
• C. Amylase and lipase
• D. ALT and AST

Answer: (D)

When liver cells are damaged and die, their interior contents spill into the bloodstream. The two enzymes that most reflect this hepatocellular injury are alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. ALT is highly specific to liver tissue, so a rise strongly indicates hepatocyte damage. AST is also released from the liver, but it is present in other tissues (like heart and muscle), so its elevation needs clinical context. Together, elevations of ALT and AST point to hepatocellular necrosis, whereas patterns involving alkaline phosphatase or GGT suggest cholestasis, and pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase) or muscle enzymes (creatine kinase) suggest injury to other organs.

When liver cells are damaged and die, their interior contents spill into the bloodstream. The two enzymes that most reflect this hepatocellular injury are alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. ALT is highly specific to liver tissue, so a rise strongly indicates hepatocyte damage. AST is also released from the liver, but it is present in other tissues (like heart and muscle), so its elevation needs clinical context. Together, elevations of ALT and AST point to hepatocellular necrosis, whereas patterns involving alkaline phosphatase or GGT suggest cholestasis, and pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase) or muscle enzymes (creatine kinase) suggest injury to other organs.