SERUM GLUTAMIC OXALACETIC TRANSAMINASE (SGOT) (AST)
SGOT is highly concentrated in organs and glands of high metabolic activity and in descending order: heart, liver, skeletal muscle, brain, kidneys, pancreas, spleen and lungs.
In pathological states, when you have high levels it means that cell damage has occurred in one or more of these areas and there is a release of this enzyme in circulation, elevating in 12 hours and remaining there for 5 days.
In physiologic states, we know it is a tissue enzyme present in tissues of high metabolic activity, and concerned with the transfer of nitrogen between aspartic acid, and alpha-keto-glutamic acid, resulting in the synthesis of glutamic acid, alpha keto acid and oxalacetic acid.
SGOT, therefore, is the catalyst that creates amino acid metabolism during glycolysis, for the production of energy.
Since there are high concentrations of SGOT in skeletal muscle/heart, and the brain, it gives you an idea of the metabolic output of each system.
The sex organs via the output of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone (which are formed on the gonadal epithelium by binding cholesterol to protein) are used to maintain muscle mass and strength. Therefore having a dramatic effect on muscle and nerve metabolism.
Since amino acid metabolism also affects muscle mass, muscle strength, and the energy to fuel the muscular system, it is apparent that SGOT is the indicator of choice. Not to mention the energy necessary to run the central nervous system which utilizes 60 percent of the available energy necessary to run your body.
Please note that most lab ranges start at 0 and since this is a measurement of the metabolic activity of the above organs 0 would mean death. The low range for SGOT should be 15.
You will find physiological conditions where there are low levels of SGOT (15-20). This is due to the exhaustion of the above organs.
Low levels indicated heart, skeletal muscle and diminished brain function/damage.
These patients are usually physically weak/exhausted whether they exercise or not, lack mental clarity, cannot think straight and have brain fatigue/fog. They also have sex hormonal problems and require HRT or erectile dysfunction treatment.
Many of these patients have a weak flabby heart, setting the stage for many types of conditions down the road.
Low levels may also mean decreased liver function affecting, protein synthesis, detoxification, sluggish metabolism, cholesterol production to name a few of the 500 know liver functions.